CARE OF THE SICK.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 117, 16 April 1940, Page 2

CARE OF THE SICK.

PALMERSTON NORTH HOSPITAL. MEETING OF BOARD. The Palmerston North Hospital Board met yesterday, when there were present Mr J. A. Nash (chairman), Mrs M. Aitchison, Messrs J. Boyce, D. Collis, W. Howell, G. A. Monk, J. Batchelar, G. P. Jensen, J. H. Williamson, V. E. Smith, A. E. Mansion.!, M. E. Perreau and J. Hodgens, M.P. The social welfare committee reported that during March 106 rations iia.d been distributed to 18 cases in the district and 100 rations to 17 cases in Palmerston North. For the corresponding month last year 203 rations were distributed to 29 cases in the district and IGS rations to 13 eases in Palmerston North. The managing-secretary (Air A. ,T. Phillipps) reported that the work on the additions to the Wilson AVa.nl verandah was now almost completed. The emergency ward would he completed and should bo occupied within .the next few weeks. The work on the additions to the Awapuni Home had progressed rapidly during the month. Tlie domestic staff block was almost completed and would be ready lor occupation shortly. Improvements had been carried out at the Maternity Home. The medical superintendent (Dr. .1. H. North) reported that 2G3 patients were admitted during March. In all 271 were discharged and 17 died, leaving 202 in the Hospital at the end of the month. The daily number ot occupied beds was 2169. There were no infectious diseases during the month. Sixteen patients were admitted to the Maternity Home during March. Miss K. White had been appointed dispenser. Miss Thorburn, previously assistant dispenser, had been appointed senior dispenser. The matron (Allss L. M. Banks) reported that Sister lveutenius had withdrawn her resignation and would continue as junior sister of the maternity annexe. Sister Everett had returned from sick -leive. Sister Clif-ford-Jones had undertaken to take charge of a voluntary aid detachment in connection with the Red Cross group in Feilding. The Awapuni Home report stated that there were 66 patients for March. The Otaki Sanatorium report showed there were eight admissions and seven patients discharged during the month, leaving 66 remaining at the end of the month. The Director-General of Health advised that Ministerial approval had been given for a bank overdraft not exceeding £16,000. for the first quarter of the board’s financial year. Dr. E. C. Barnett advised that lie was not applying for a salaried position under the board’s new scheme of part-time staffing as he disagreed with the principle of a paid hospital visiting staff. However, he would be willing to give services of an honorary nature, if necessary, during the war. —lt was decided to thank Dr. Barnett for his offer. A new set of bv-laws, to cover the appointment of the part-time staff, was approved.