HOSPITAL BOARD

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 32, 11 May 1938, Page 4

HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEET|NC The monthly meeting of the Opotiki Hospital. Board was held in the Couuty Chambers on Friday afternoon. Present: Messrs F. J. Short (retiring chairman), S. Maxwell, G. S. Moody,/ S. Shalfoon, CL D.. Brown, G, J. jSieil-' son, J. McDonnell, O. H. Fleming, J. T. Merry (secretary'), and Dr 11. J. Mail (hospital superintendent). Before retiring from the meeting, Mr Short said that at the last meeting of the board it was understood that the members of the old board should hold another meeting. He did not seek re-election and two nominations from reprsentatives of the borough were received and-automatically elected. In retiring as a member and chairman of the board, Mr Short said it was with a considerable feeling of regret, but he felt that lie. could not give the time and thought which was required of the position. That was his reason for not seeking re-election. He wished to take the opportunity of extending his deep appreciation .of the assistance and co-operation of the members of the Board, the Hospital' staff, the secretary and his assistant. He had always taken a keen interest in hospital work and had tried to carry out his duties as chairman, without personal feelings entering and always with the good of the hospital and the district as a whole, in view. When he first became a member of the board, Mr Short said, lie was very strongly in favour of the commencement of the hospital farm so that the. hospital might be provided with its own vegetables, milk, cream, bacon etc. With a great deal of opposition, it was decided to proceed with the scheme —that was some six or seven years ago—and it was indeed gratifying to him at this stage that for the past three or four years the farm had shown a profit. Although it was thought at the. outset that the farm would be a liability it had proved agreat asset and a considerable benefit to the hospital. Fven had it not shown any actual profit Mr Short contended that the benefit the hospital had derived in being provided was an asset in itself. Although he was retiring from the board he asked that it be clearly understood b3 r the members, that, if at any time, he could be of service, he would be only too pleased to be called upon as lie would' always

have the interests of the hospital at heart. Before retiring, Mr Short 'extended his congratulations to the new chairman and wished him every suc- • .cess. , , - ■ i V r _____ o- nr -ii a C!

Messrs S. Maxwell, G. S. Moody, S. Shalfobn, G. J. Neilson, O. H. Finning,' J. McDonnell, and O. D. Btrown, all expressed their regret at losing Mr Short as chairman, of the board, and spoke in eulogistic terms of his services. •

Mr Short briefly thanked the members for their kind remarks.

It was proposed b-y Mr S. Shalfoon. and seconded by Mr C. D. Brown that Mr G. J. Neilson be : elected l as chairman for this meeting. Mr Neilson expressed his appreciation of the honour which had been bestowed upon him and took the opportunity of welcoming the new membrs, Messrs C. H. Fleming and C. 1). Brown. . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed and the outward correspondence vras approved.' The secretary stated that the annual balance sheet had been approved by, the Audit Department and authority given to* present. It was suggested by Mr McDonnell that the. balance sheet be published in the local paper. It was pointed out that the balance sheet was usually printed and copies were left at the office of the secretary where they could be collected. It was decided to follow this method.

Inward correspondence was dealt with as follows: .

From the Minister of Native Lands further to the discussion of the District Nurse’s residence at Little Awanui. The letter stated that a representative of the Department would shortly visit Opotiki and after some discussion it was decided to leave the matter over until tlieii when it was suggested that Mr Shalloon should accompany the representative to interview the native owner of the residence.. .

From the Tauranga Hospital Board regarding the high fees of the Wilson Home. It was a suggestion that ail boards in the Auckland Province cooperate to protest against the chargeswhich they contended should be reduced to at least half of the present charges. Boards such as Opotiki which did not employ a masseur, found it necessary to send patienTs. to the Wilson Home. The present charge was Ids per day. The Board was unanimous in supporting the proposal. The Tauranga Hospital Boax-d also wrote asking for the co-operation of the Opotiki Btoard in securing the services of an ear, nose and throat specialist for the Thames-Bay of Plenty district to work on the same lines

as the: T.B. visiting specialist. The board) contended that they ..did not have sufficient cases of that nature in Opotiki, .to warrant such a specialist. A letter from., the Waipawa Hospital Board stating that the quarterly visit of Dr Short had been, postponed on account of the unfavourable weather which had prevailed arid upset his itinerary.

. A letter from the Department or Health enclosed a scale of monthly pensions with the suggested maximum amount which the board could- retain as follows: —• - .

Old Age .Pension, £4 17s 6d. Suggested amount to be retained £3 15s lOd.

Invalidity Pension £4 6s Bcl. Suggested anioixnt to- be retained £3 ss. Military Pension, £4 17s 6d. Suggested amount to be retained £3 15s iCd. After considerable discussion it was moved by Mr M'axwell and seconded by Mr G. S. Moody that each case be taken, on its merits as in the past and that the hoard should protest. The matron presented her report as follows:

Herewith admission and discharge sheets- for the month of April. Hospital has been busy this month. Bister T*raser resigned from the staff oil the 7tli. on account of her mother’s illness. Sister Gifkens has been ap? pointed in her place. Nurse Agnes finished duty as an hospital aide on 30th April and Miss Goodall has been appointed in her place. Nurse Grantham has given notice of her resignation from the staff on 28th. May next. The cook has also given notice of leaving her position. The hospital was visited by Dr Shore during the month. We require a further supply of cups and saucers for the patients. We had occasion to engage a special nurse for one week; for a -patient in isolation, during this month. The purchase of crockery was approved. The matron also enclosed a list-she had taken out after thoroughly examining the samples and quotations submitted by the local firms. .Mr Sin lfoon moved that the matiron’s action he approved. Seconded by Mr Maxwell. The medical superintendent reported for the month of April as follows: Acfcmissioiis 28, discharges 24, remaining' 17, deaths 0.

Considerable discussion took place over the* quotations fer the alterations at i *..

-.Accounts amounting to £519 os Id were passed for payment and the meeting closed with thanks to the chair.