HOSPITAL BOARD

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 248, 17 September 1940, Page 10

HOSPITAL BOARD

MORE PUPIL NURSES. PROGRESS OF BUILDINGS. Tlie monthly meeting of the Palmerston North Hospital Board was held yesterday, those present being Mr J. A. Nash (chairman), Airs M. Aitchison, Messrs J. Hodgens, ALP.. A. E. Alansford, J. H. Williamson, C. P. Jensen, V. E. Smith, J. Batchelar, T. Green, D. Collis, J. Boyce, W. Howell, AI. E. Perreau and F. J. Ryder. The board passed a motion of sympathy with the relatives of the late Air H. J. Canton, -who passed away recently. The chairman referred to Mr Canton’s public service, including that as a member of the Palmerston North Cifv Council. Phe medical superintendent (Air J. H. Noyth) reported that at the end of July there ■ were 249 patients in tlie hospital. In August 323 were admitted. 315 were discharged, and 17 died, leaving 240 in the Hospital at the close of August. The daily average number of occupied beds for August was 244.61. Two cases of scarlet fever were admitted in August and these remained in the Hospital at the end of the month. There had been 20 births at the Alaternity Home in the month.

The report of the matron (Miss L. AI. Banks) was adopted, as follows: “The health of the nursing staff throughout August had been satisfactory. The following prospective pupil nurses have been interviewed and medically examined during the last few weeks and are considered suitable for training in this Hospital: Aliases B. Stewart, B. Bolton, N. King, J. McRohhie, S. Iloclie, A- Gupwell, AI. Duggan, AI. Harper and In’. Noell. T would recommend that they be accepted for training, taking up their duties as from Monday. September 16. I wish to acknowledge tlie following gifts received during tlie month; Two woollen singlets for tlie use of patients from Atiss Alatheson. Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union; flowers for the wards, Anonymous, Feilding; magazines and weekly papers, llangitikei Club, Feilding; Airs W. Alouldey, Palmerston North ; Hospital Auxiliary ; anonymous. Palmerston North ; weekly papers and journals for the use of women in Hospital from the girls of the clerical staff. Chief Post Office.”

The report of the managing secretary (Air A. J. Phillippa) stated, inter alia; “Tlie work on the two main fire escapes at the nurses’ home building has been completed. In the meantime” the work on the fire escapes at the old administration building, where nursing staff are housed, is proceeding, and we are carrying on with the urgent portions of the work as outlined in the report which was previously before the hoard. Centennial Hospital (Isolation Block): The consulting engineer has sent most of the detailed plans of steelwork for the Centennial Hospital and has written to say that ho is posting the balance on or before September 14. This means that the plans should all be in Wellington next week. The work Air V. J. Hearn 1 (the board’s architect) is doing on the detailed specification is almost complete, various details having been finished with him during the last few days. Awapuni buildings: The contractor on the Awapuni buildings has just finished work. The ward will be ready for the admission of patients within the next fortnight.” The matron of the Awapuni Home (Aliss D. Wright) reported that the health of the patients was satisfactory. Nurses -Roche and Rowe had resigned and Nurses Cawley and AVatt had filled the vacancies. Entertainments were given by the ToiVnswomen’s Guild and the Congregational Church and gifts received had been; Books, Airs Gaisford and Airs Moran, and cakes from' the Roman Catholic Junior Red Cross Circle.