THAMES HOSPITAL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5409, 10 April 1929, Page 3

THAMES HOSPITAL.

MEETING OF BOARD. ROUTINE BUSINESS. The Thames Hospital Board held its monthly meeting on Monday, Mr W. E. Hale presiding over Messrs E. L. Walton, C. W. Parfitt, C. Flett, W. J. Hall, A. R. Robinson, W. C. Kennedy, J. Lange, W. Danby, and the secretary, Mr G. Tonge. Paeroa Hospital. The Minister of Health, the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy, wrote confirming the agreement made at his conference with the board. He expressed the hope that the future relations between the board and his department would be “most amicable.” The chairman mentioned that a small acount had come to hand from the Public Works Department in connection with the Paeroa hospital, and he had instructed the clerk to seek a confirmation by the Minister of the agreement reached. On the chairman’s motion the agreement was confirmed. The acting Director-General of Health, Dr. M. H. Watt, forwarded a claim for the preparation of plans and specifications for the Paeroa Hospital totalling £67 Os 7d, and asked that the amount be paid direct to the Public Works Department, Wellington. This was agreed to. Benevolent Society. The Hauraki Ladies’ Benevolent Society wrote asking for £lO for Charity purposes in Thames. The amount was granted. Patients at Waihi. The Waihi Hospital Board advised having admitted a school child from Waitawheta who was suffering from acute appendicitis. Tuberculosis. The Hospital Boards’ Association of N.Z. forwarded a number of resolutions dealing with the treatment of tuberculosis cases. These expressed the view that the making of provision for the care and treatment of such cases was the proper function of hospital boards, that to ensure more uniformity and more equitable sharing of the burden hospital boards should combine into four groups, two in each island, for the purpose of taking over and administering the tuberculosis sanatoria within the respective districts of the combined boards. The Thames Board was included in the Auckland district, and was asked to indicate its agreement. The secretary mentioned that the matter had been passed by the Hospital Boards’ Association conference for a number of years. The chairman said that the South Island hospital boards maintained theii* own sanatoriums, but in the North Island the State maintained two institutions and charged hospital boards for the patients that came from their districts. The proposal would be very acceptable to the South Island, but the North Island would naturally prefer to continue as at present. Dr. T. A. Valintine had worked for years to get the Hospital Conference to pass this remit. In a short time a conference of boards would be held, and it would be desirable for the Thames Board to be represented to lend it weight, against the proposal. The movement was one by -which the Government sought to put its responsibility on to hospital boards. The capital cost would probably be levied on hospital boards on a valuation basis, and the present arrangement in regard to the payment for treatment would probably continue. There did not appeal' to be any immediate necessity for any new sanatoriums, as there was ample, accommodation available at present, but as the buildings were erected hurriedly in war time the maintenance would continue to be high. It was agreed that the chairman represent the board at the conference. REPORTS ON STAFF MATTERS. ■ ——< The Hospital. The resident surgeon, Dr. W. Sowerby, reported that March had been a fairly quiet month in the hospital. During the month 41 males and 36 females had been admitted, 35 males and 40 females had been discharged, and two males and one female had died, leaving 36 males and 24 females. Nine out-patients had received 86 attendances, and 49 operations had been performed. Sister E. I. Davies, acting-matron, reported on staff matters at the hospital. There had been 14 births in the Maternity Annexe. The chairman reported on his monthly visit of inspection. Everything was very quiet. The matron wrote urging that those nurses who had passed the State examination be paid a little extra. The chairman said that the fact that the nurses were able to pass their examination within their four years was due to the training received. Those who passed were enabled to obtain maternity training in the annexe, whereas in other hospitals the nurses had to leave and join St. Helen’s, where they received no pay for six months. It was decided not to grant an increase. The Homes. The superintendent of the District Homes, Tararu, reported that the conduct of the 19 men and one woman had been good. The pasture on the farm was improving, but the milk production was decreasing. The garden was very good, and the egg production was very satisfactory, being 121 dozen for the month. District Nursing. The Nurse to Natives stationed at Paeroa, Miss N. -Jamieson, reported having attended 15 patients and visiting schools, native pas, and native homes about Paeroa since her return from annual leave on March 26. The board’s district nurse at Patetonge, Mrs M. Costello, reported having made eight visits and collected £1 2s 6d in fees.

Supplies. The tenders for the supply of materials for the year, after being dealt with in committee, were the subject of numerous recommendations. In each case the lowest price was accepted, but in the case of drapery, and also of groceries, where prices of some articles had been cut down, the secretary was instructed to work out the total cost and report to the board. Next Year’s Rates. The estimates for the year 1929-30 were submitted to the board, discussed at length, and approved. The chairman mentioned that it had been possible to reduce the rate on local bodies, and about £l2OO less than last year would be levied. The secretary was to be congratulated on the efficient working. The Valuation Department supplied the following statement of capital valuation of contributing local bodies in the hospital district :— Thames Borough : £878,715, £835,751 —down £32,964. Paeroa Borough: £394,890, £3BB,3oo—down £6560. Ohinenuiri County : £731,363, £665,397 —down £65,966. Thames County: £670,880, £675,986—up £5106. Hauraki Plains County : £2,113,689, £2,139,594—up £15,905. Totals : £4,705,058, £4,789,538.