THAMES HOSPITAL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5500, 13 November 1929, Page 1

THAMES HOSPITAL.

MONTHLY MEETING OF BOARD. ROUTINE BUSINESS. The Thames Hospital Board held its monthly meeting at Thames on Monday, Mr W. E. Hale presiding over Messrs E. L. Walton, C. W. Parfitt, A. R. Robinson, W. C. Kennedy, C. Flett, and D. Courtney. The secretary, Mr G. Tonge, was in attendance. Leave of Absence. Dr. W. Sowerby applied for leave of absence until the beginning of December to enable him to recuperate from his recent illness.—Granted. Resignations. Nurse F. Hall wrote tendering her resignation to enable her to take a course in midwifery at St.Helens, Wellington. Nurse, L. Delamore also tendered her resignation, as she had finished her training and desired to further her experience elsewhere. Both resignations were received with regret. The Laundry. Mr A. McDonald wrote advising that he would inspect the hospital laundry on November 14. Messrs Walton and Flett were appointed to meet Mr McDonald, and were given power to act in any matter affecting the running or staffing of the laundry. Admittances to Waihi. Notification was received from the Waihi Hospital Board of the admittance as urgent cases of three patients—from Waikino, Mackaytown, and Paeroa. Liability was accepted, though Mr Kennedy raised an objection to the Paeroa patient, who was a member of a friendly society. Charitable Aid. The Hauraki Ladies’ Benevolent Society applied for and was granted £lO for charity purposes in Thames. Hospital Reports. The acting medical officers, Drs. A. S. Gray and*J. B. Liggins, reported that 50 males and 60 females had been admitted to the hospdtal during October. Two had died, and there were at date 35 males and 37 females in the institution. Twelve out-patients had received 63 attendances, and 53 operations had been performed. The matron, Miss K. M. Ansenne, reported at length on staff matters. Sister B. McLean had taken over the maternity annexe on October 10. The seven nurses who sat for the cookery examination had passed with credit. There had been 14 births in the annexe. The matron recommended that Sister Keith be given a rise in salary. On behalf of the visiting committee Mr A. R. Robinson reported that everything appeared to be working satisfactorily. The X-ray plant was now working well. It was agreed to grant Sister Keith a deserved rise in salary. The superintendent of the Tararu’ Home reported that the number of inmates was 17, four 1 men having been discharged and one woman admitted during the month. The farm was in good order, and the milk and egg production was satisfactory. Mr Parfit, on behalf of the visiting committee, said that the farm and garden had never look better, and exceptional crops were promised. The new lemon trees would bear fruit this season. Repairs to certain farm machinery and the procuring of fertilisers was authorised. The district nurse to natives, Miss N. Jamieson, Paeroa, reported having made 168 visits to 109 cases during October. Schools had been visited and lectures given, and 13 Maori pahs had been visited. There had been a great deal of sickness among young native children. Meat Supplies. The secretary reported that as a result of a conference between the matron and the board’s butcher an arrangement had been arrived at whereas a fortnight’s supply of meat would be ordered in advance. The arrangement was working satisfactorily. Accounts. Accounts totalling £1067 6s 8d were passed for payment. A Tennis Court. Mr D. Courtney reported that the matron had asked for sanction to hold a working bee to improve the grounds behind the maternity annexe to make a tennis court for the nurses. A second request was for tar for sealing the surface. The matter had been mentioned to Mr Courtney because he was a new member, said Mr Robinson, who stated that the idea had been discussed over a number of years. He advocated that the board make a grant for the materials, as the area could do with a clean-up, and the opportunity of securing the assistance of the public at a working bee should not be missed. On the motion of Mr Kennedy the secretary was instructed to repout on the cost of materials. The secretary mentioned that all the drainage connections were made in the area proposed to be used, and in the last few years the ground had been disturbed three times.