HOSPITAL BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3509, 10 July 1926, Page 3

HOSPITAL BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Palmerston North Hospital Board was held on Thursday, Sir James Wilson occupying the chair. A letter was received from a [Bulls resident expressing gratitude for the skilled nursing and attention he received while an inmate of the hospital. He said that had he been-the richest man in New Zealahd he could not have received better treatment, and he was sure all the patients felt equally grateful for a system which enabled the poorest sufferers such medical and nursing treatment. On the motion of Mr. J. K. Hornblow it was decided that the executive purge the by-laws with the object of removing any anomalies as between the duties and responsibilities of the resident medical officer and matron, and submit them to the board for approval. The managing secretary, Mr. A. J. Phillips, stated that the work on the plans and specifications for the nurses’ home, which was being carried out by the Health Department, was nearing completion. Mr. Johnson, technical, inspector of the Department, visited the Hospital on July 5 in connection with this matter. An amended sketch plan of the new surgical block had been received. This was carefully considered, and further improvements suggested. The additions to the annexe would be available for occupation during this month, and arrangements would then be made to earr\ on with the alteration to the verandas of the existing buildings, which the patients were at present occupying. Authority was given the secretary to call for tenders for the woik of the nurses’ home, and also for the body work of the new ambulance. Dr. Frazer, medical superintendent reported as follows: “A considerable amount of influenza appears to be prevalent, and a few. cases have been serious enough to be brought into hospital, though all of them made a good recovery. Though productive of much inconvenience and necessitating care to avoid complications, the epidemic so far does not seem to be of such a nature as to cause public alarm.” “During the last fortnight there has been an epidemic of influenza, about sixty people being affected” reported the nurse in charge of the institution at Mangahao camp “The disease during the acute stage was of a severe nature, the men being off duty for a week or ten days —in some cases a fortnight,” The matron of the Awapuni Old People’s Home reported that several inmates had severe colds. There were in the institution 32 males and seven females.

In connection with the collection of patients’ fees, the chairman (Sir Janies Wilson) said that the amount received for the quarter amounted to £I3OO, as against £1319 for the corresponding period of last year. The actual collections for the past quarter did not come up to expectations, being below the estimate.

The secretary stated that an increase during the winter months was not expected. Although the collections were below the proportional estimate, in view of the financial stress the fact that the position was in itself better than last year must be regarded as satisfactory. The chairman remarked that nevertheless, if the payments were not better, the hoard might have to show a deficiency at the end of the year.