HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 32, Issue 3291, 21 July 1943, Page 5

HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

THAMES BOARD MEETING NEW ESTIMATES APPROVED COROMANDEL DOCTOR RESIGNS The July meeting of the Thames Hospital Board was held recently in Thames, Mr P. E. Brenan presiding. There were also present Messrs C. W. Kennedy, A. G. Davies, J. G. Comes, A. H. Sutton, J. J. Shallue, C. W. Winder, S. H. Brown and Mr A. L. Neighbour (secretary). Leave of absence was granted to Messrs J. W. Danby, W. Madgwick, C. W. Parfitt and Lieut. Brook. Redrafted Estimates The Minister of Health advised the board that he had approved of the new estimates of receipts and expenditure for the coming year. This allowed for the total expenditure of £31,089 17s sd, made up of £13,328 5s 3d for maintenance and £1796 11s lid for capital expenditure, leaving £15,124 17s 2d to be found by levy upon the contributing local authorities. Increased Subsidy Regarding the increased subsidy of 3s pei’ occupied bed promised by the Minister, the secretary, Mr Neighbour, pointed out that the Board would receive an increased amount of revenue of approximately £7BOO, but the reduction of £4680 in the amount of subsidy would still leave £3120 in the amount to be found by the ratepayers of the contributing local authorities.

The chairman said that the redrafting of the estimates showed the contributing local bodies would benefit to a certain extent, but the Government must be congratulated in looking after itself. At the same time, it must be admitted the Minister had done all that he had promised to do. A Lower Levy In answer to a question from Mr Kennedy, the clerk gave the percentage of the capital levy to local authorities during the last five years, and this disclosed that on the new estimates for the present year the levy was lower than any previous year. Last year the levy was 5.34 d and this year it is 4.411 d. The average over the five years was 4.69 d. The clerk then read the following table, giving the old and the new amounts levied to the respective local authorities: — Hauraki Plains County Council.— Old levy, .543 d £5267 10s 2d; new levy, .411 d £4163 12s lOd; reduction, £llO3 17s 4d. Ohinemuri County Council. —£2334 17s 4d; £1845 11s 4d; £489 6s. Thames County Council. —£1749 3s; £1382 11s 4d; £366 11s Bd. Thames Borough Council. —£I'sBo* 3s 8d; £1249 Is; £331 2s Bd. Waihi Borough Council. —£1504 13s 4d; £1238 19s; £265 14s 4d. Coromandel County Cquncil.—£l394 3s 4d; £llO2 0s 4d; £292 3s. Paeroa Borough Council. —£1294 6s 4d; £1023 Is 4d; £271 ss. Totals. —Old levy, £15,124 17s 2d; new levy, £12,004 17s 2d; reduction, £3120. Massage Facilities The Director-General of 'Health reported that at the present time there is a definite shortage of masseuse and it will be quite impossible for the ’board to fill the position of masseuse at the Waihi Hospital until October, when a group of students will qualify and would be available. Doctor’s Resignation The medical officer of the Coromandel Hospital, Dr. Birkinshaw, tendered his resignation from his position after four years’ service with the board. The chairman suggested that the resignation be held up until a suitable medical officer’ be obtained to take Dr. Birkinshaw’s place. This was agreed to. Resident Surgeon’s Report

Dr. E. Gifford reported that there were 70 males and 44 females at the main hospital at the end of June. Operations during the month had been 70. Massage Department Dr. Gifford suggested that as both the nurses’ dining-room and the massage department were becoming greatly overcrowded, an entrance be made to the dining-room from the verandah opposite the waiting-room, and that the space now occupied by the passage entrance to. the diningroom and the small room at the end of this passage be utilised to enlarge ■both places. Thia would require very little alteration and would help considerably. He advised this as a small change by which to avoid in the meantime the building of a completely new mar sage deparinent. The chairman thought there wais some merit in the doctor’s suggestion.

It would certainly be better than the erection of a separate building. On the motion of Messrs Shalhie and Davis, the matter was left in the hands of the chairman to deal witty. Matron’s Report The matron, Miss L. M. Corsbie, in a supplementary report, gave a list of the staff that was. required, the urgent need of a proper Plunket scales for the maternity annexe, heating for the lung room, dinner-waggons, and the matter of nurses’ hours and leave. The report was received, the Board agreeing to assist the matron in all matters for the efficient working of the hospital. Waihi Hospital The medical officer at Waihi, Dr. R. <). Hetherington, reported that there were 19 males and 16 females at the hospital at the end of the month. There had been 43 operations.