HOSPITAL BOARD

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3265, 19 May 1943, Page 5

HOSPITAL BOARD

ACUTE POSITION AT WAIHI MATRON’S RESIGNATION SURGEON AT COROMANDEL The. monthly meeting of the Thames Hospital Board was held in Thames on Tuesday afternoon, the chairman, Mr P. E. Brenan, presiding. Others ■present were Messrs W. 0. Kennedy, A. G. Davis, J. Cornes, A. H. Sutton, C. W. Parfitt, C. S. H. Brown, W. Madgwick, J. W. Danby and the secretary, Mr A. L. Neighbour. Leave of absence was granted Lieut. M. A. Brook.

The resignation of Mr M. A. Ellis who is leaving the district was received with regret, the chairman expressing the board’s appreciation of the excellent service given by Mr Ellis.

“Mr Ellis has proved, a useful member on the -board and has always taken an intelligent interest in the affairs of the hospitals under our control,” said the chairman. Dr. Frank Birkinshaw, of Coromandel, wrote advising that he proposed joining his wife, Dr. Edna Birkinshaw in practice in Auckland and the board discussed the problem of replacing him at the Coromandel and Mercury Bay Hospitals. It was agreed to release Dr. Birkinshaw when a suitable replacement could be secured. Matron’s Resignation Due to ill health the matron at the Waihi Hospital, Miss J. G. -Crawford, tendered her resignation to take effect from August 3-1, 1943. In moving that her resignation be accepted with regret the chairman paid a tribute to the Stirling qualities of Miss Crawford, stating that it was due to the excellent service given, to the hospital that Miss Crawford’s health- had been affected.

Appreciation of her service to the board was placed on record, the board agreeing to release Miss- Crawford as • soon as a suitable replacement could be found.

The question of suspending the visiting hours except on Sundays was raised by Mr Kennedy who contended that it was unduly penalising the public.

The chairman explained that it either meant, reducing the visiting hours or reducing the number of patients. Everything possible was being done to secure additional staff, stated the chairman.

. Mr L. C. Cruickshank, assistant engineer at the Thames Hospital tendered his resignation, stating that he had been appointed to the position of engineer-in-charge of the new Soldiers’ Convalescent Hospital at Rotorua. The resignation was accepted. Hospital Statistics ' Reporting on the Thames Hospital, Matron K. M. Ansenne stated that in the physiotherapy department there had been 200 inpatients and 276 outpatients, a total of 476 patients. Statistics regarding the hospital’s institutions were given as under: — Thames Maternity Annexe.—Admitted, 12 mothers and 1 babe; births 11; discharged, 9 mothers and 9 babes, Thames Hospital.—Number of patients in wards at last return, 58 males and 36 females; admitted, 64 males and 59 females; deaths, 3 males; discharged, 60 males and .52 females; remaining, 59 males and 43 females; outpatients, 53 males and 53 females; attendances, 136 males and 76 females; operations,. 29 males and 26 females. Busy Month Waihi Hospital.:—Number of patients in wards at last return, 18 males and 26 females; admitted, 31 males and 39 females; deaths, 2 males and 1 female; discharged, 25 males and 39 females; remaining, 22 males and 25 females; out-patients, 21 males and 11 females; attendances, 13 males and 6 females; operations, 13 males and 10 females. The resident Dr. Wagstaff reported that the hospital had had a very busy month. The chairman said that the number of patients to be admitted would in future be restricted to a number which the staff were able to handle. ■Paeroa Hospital.—Number of patients in wards at last return, no males and 4 females; admitted, 1 male and 13 females; deaths, nil; discharged, 1 male and 15 females; remaining, no males and 2 females; outpatients, 1 male and 2 females; attendances, 2 males and 4 females; operations, 1 male and no females; 8 confinements.

Coromandel Hospital.—Number of patients in wards at last return, 7 males and 7 females; admitted, 7 males and 13 females; discharged, 7 males and 8 females; deaths, nil; remaining, 7 males and 12. females; operations, 3 males and 2 females; outpatients, 22 males and 46 females; u i-.~’ 1

male and 2 females.

Mercury Bay Hospital.—Number of patients in wards at last .return. 6 males and no females; admitted, 7 males and 6 females; deaths, no males and 1 female; discharged, 11 males and 3 females; remaining, 2 males and 2 females; attendances, 60 males and 55 'females; operations, 4 males; births, 2 males. Nurse Jean Farnall was granted two months’ sick leave. ) Accounts totalling £4535 6s Cd were passed for payment.