OTAGO HOSPITAL BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17687, 26 July 1919, Page 7

OTAGO HOSPITAL BOARD

The monthly meeting of tho Otago Hospital .and Charitable Aid Board was held on Thursday night; present—Messrs Knight (chairman). Driver, J. Camming, KG. Cumming, J. Oove, Souxr, Dr jNowlands, and Mrs Jackson. Minis tor ol j/übiio Health (the Hon. G W. Russell) wrote .statmg that his attention had boaa drawn to eompliuuta regarding the hisulhoonoy of tho accommodation for inicotious disease# cases in Dunedin. In tho matter of accommodation for dijihtherio patients ho was still awaiting representations from tho board, and until tliis was done he could not accept responsibility for tho want of hospital accommodation aa resting upon his department.—Matter to bo discussed with tho In-specior-general oi Hospitals. The Minister of JL J ublic Health wrote approving of the .Red Cross Society being asked by the board to assume control of tho Woodsida Auxiliary Hospital in tho same manner as tho Monteeilio Military Convalescent Home.—Miss M'Lean wrote stating that she had been instructed by the executive of the lied Cross JSooiety to state that tho society was prepared to take charge of the Woodside Hospital.—Received and approved. iho Registrar of the Otago University Council (Mr H. Chapman) wroto acknowledging receipt of a copy of Dr Colquhoun's letter in reference to the kitchen and dietetic department at tho Dunedin Hospital, and stating that a copy of the letier had boen forwarded to Professor Boys-Smith for any comments she might t.hinlr desirable.—Reoeived. Messrs Scurr and Co. wroto offering Mrs Ainge's property at Wakari for sale at £2750.—Referred to Knanoo Committee for report. The Medical Superintendent of the Dunedin Hospital (Dr FaloonerJ, writing with reference to hospital accommodation for influenza patients, said ho desired to impress the board with the gravity of tho present position. At tho present moment he should bo compelled to refuse any request from tho Health Department for the immediate admission of an influenza patient. This matter was serious in view of the fact that overseas boata wero bringing to this port passengers who had been contacts with influenza patients. In hi 3 lcttor of May 29 ho pointed out that there would be no accommodation for influenza patients after June 2, Wakari ceasing to be an influenza receiving ward on that date. He suggested that the whole matter required consideration by the Influenza Advisory Committee in conference with the District Health Officer. This conference appeared to bo imperative.—Referred 'to the Influenza Advisory Committee for report.

The Department of Public Health •wrote stating that the Minister did not consider that grants by local bodies should carry a subsidy, and therefore a subsidy of £100 from th© Otago Harbour Board had been deleted from the board's claim. —Application for subsidy to bo renewed. Tho Chief Health Officer (Dr Valintinc) wrote stating that th© Defence authorities had found it necessary in the interests 01 tho sick and wounded soldiers, to retain tho services of certain military medical officers who were given special opportunities for studying the latest methods in military surgery and orthopedics on tho understanding that their services would 1 be available for soldiers on their return to the dominion. Though tli3 decision of tho Defence Department waa quite reasonable, it might come somewhat hard on those medical officers concerned, who might thus be debarred from applying for some of the best hospital appointments in the dominion. He suggested that in the event of there being any vacancies that host consideration be given to applicants of this nature. —Request to be acceded to.

Tho Minister of Publio Health wrote acknowledging receipt of the board's letter with regard to a petition by 196 residents of Owaka for the establishment of a cottage hospital in the district. In reply, the Minister stated that he fully recognised tho needs of remote country districts in the matter of affording hospital treatment for the residents. Ho was prepared to 'agree to the establishment of such an institution on tire following conditions:—(l) That one-half of the cost of land, buildings, and equipment be provided by the residents, either by subscriptions or voluntary contributions or grants by the local bodies of the district. If thero were any legal doubt as to powers of the last-named the Government would validate them by law. (2) That a local committee of management be appointed, under section 61 of "Tho Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act, 1909." (3) That, the maintenance and upkeep bo a charge on the Otago Board's revenues. (<1) That the institution be for maternity, accidents, and observation cases only, and be in charge of competent and approved nurse-midwife. All serious cases to bo sent, as at present, to Bunedin. If tho board was agreeable to this course, he was prepared to signify his approval of the board's proposals on these lines when submitted in concrete form. The policy therein laid down might be applied to other districts remote from Dunedin, with the proviso that each case must be submitted to tho department, accompanied by full statistics, and would bo judged on its merits.— Referred to Finance Committee.

The Minister of Public Health wrote acknowledging receipt of a copy of the board's resolution urging the advisability of calling a conference of Hospital Boards, and stating that tho terms of the resolution had been noted, and would receive careful consideration. —Received. The Inspector-general of Hospitals wrote stating that the Defence authorities had decided to establish a travelling medical board, donsisting of two medical officers, for the purpose of examining all soldiers receiving treatment either as in-patients or out-patients at all military and civil institutions. Tho Defence authorities had approached tho department with a. view to ascertaining if the Hospital Boards of the dominion were prepared to assist in granting facilities to tho travelling medical board to examine patients in the institutions concerned. He wished to know if tho medieal superintendent of the Hospital would assist the board in carrying out its work. —The Medical Superintendent wrote stating that he would be pleased to assist in every way possible.—Approved. The Secretary of the Otago Branch of the New Zealand Trained Nurses' Associa tion wrote stating that the association had decided to hold a memorial service in Dunedin on October 26 (this being the first Sunday after the date of the anniversary of tho Marquette disaster) for all New Zealand-trained nurses who had during the war paid tbo supreme sacrifice for their country.—Left in the hands of the chairman of the board and Mr 3?. G. Gumming. It was resolved that a hearty vote of thanks be recorded to the following in connection with the entertainment of the inmates of the Otago Benevolent Institution during Peace Celebrations Week:—Tho Dunedin City Corporation, for the use of the trams for conveying the inmates of the Benevolent Institution during _ the peace celebrations; Or Douelas, for his kind consideration and work in promoting the same, and his untiring energy in arranging for these entertainments; Mr Armstrong (manager) and the directors of the Strand Tea Itooms, for their kindness in granting the use of the tea rooms, thus enabling tho inmates of the Benevolent Institution to view the procession, and for their thought fulness in providing refreshments; Cr Shackloek and Mr TC. Krllett, for accompanying a section of the Peace Choir on a visit to tlio. institution, and also to the members of the choir, conductor, and accompanist for tho pleasure they afforded the inmates.

Tho committee reports were adopted with o-it. nmmdment.