OPOTIKI HOSPITAL BOARD

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 143, 8 February 1939, Page 2

OPOTIKI HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING Tlie monthly meeting of the Opotiki. Hospital■ Board was held in the County Clhnmbera on Friday afternoon. Present: Air. S. Maxwell (chairman), Messrs. C«. S. Moody, J. McDonnell, E. ‘J. Baigant, C. H. Fleming, S. Shalloon; Mr. J. T. Merry (secretary) and Dr. M. J. Alail (medical superintendent). The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed and outward correspondence read and approved. Inward correspondence was dealt with. The balance sheet, certified as correct was received from the auditors and approved. A letter from the Directorgeneral of Health on tho subject of the remit asking that infantile paralysis cases he a national undertaking, stated that full consideration had hern given the remit, which was declined, tho opinion, being that it was a. duty for the .Hospital Boards. The letter was “received” and the remit will lie dealt with at the Hospital Board’s Conference to he held this week.

In reply to an impiiry as to whore monies from art union proceeds were allocated, the Minister of internal Affairs wrote stating that lie had no knowledge of any such proceeds being allocated for hospital maintenance and that the whole profits went for the relief of distress eases and •the assistance of charitable aid and this policy would he continued.

1 1 was suggested that a body without statutory powers could take the. matter up and it was staled that on behalf of the Mayor’s Fund, which did not now receive monies, the matter wa.s being followed up.

The Department- <>i Health wrote slating that they would ‘he pleased to teeeive a report on the board's action in connection with the proposed maternity services.—lt was decided to reply that tile matter was being consider! d.

A letter from the Native Minister gave particulars of two alternative .sites for the nurse’s cottage. The letter was “received.”

Mr. C. \Y. 1' airw.. atlier. wrote pointing out that the private telephone line fer the district nurse had been most unsatisfactory and asked that the matter should he given prompt attention. The secretary stated that repairs had been carried cut on receipt of the letter.

The secretary of the Returned Soldiers’ Association forwarded a list of membeis to participate in the hospital scheme and enclosed fees.

The Health Department wrote .suggesting; lire protection as a result of the recent fatal fin* in Nelson. It was deeid v| that as the local hospital consists d of only one storey there was no danger and the present protect ion was sufficient.

The district nurses’ reports wore presented and an agenda paper of the Hospital Boards’ (JonlereucO was received. Hospital Reports.

Tlio million, Miss L. McLean, reported ns follows:—Herewith admission and discharge sheets tor the month of January. .Hospital lias heen vei'v htisv all the mouth. Sister * 4r i'idward's commeneed lier annual leave on the 2nd. inst. and has asked Tor an extra week on account of illhealth. Sister Smith is relieving Sister Kdwards. Nurse (fulde finished on the Mist. inst. to commence training in Auckland Hospital. Nurse Wilkinson is relieving on day duty until the loth. inst. when i hope to have another probationer. Sister Masters is having ton days’ leave from the 3rd. inst. I. would he glad of my annual leave this month. ’ We have to thank Air. O’Sullivan of the Royal .Hotel for a donation of C'd 12s (id towards extras for the patients at Xpias time. Also Mr. Noble for a generous supply of fruit and pork. Wo have a fair number of lemons sent to us and I wish .to thank those people who remember the hespital. The medical superintendent, Dr. 11. J. Mail, reported as follows:—I beg to report on the hospital for the months of December; 1938 and January, 1939. Admitted 41, discharged -Ip, deaths 3, remaining in hospital 10, Operations 11, January, admitted -12, discharged 28, deaths 2, remaining in hospital 22, operations 8.

As the figures indicate the hospital has been busy, particularly during January. Accounts amounting to £546 8s 3d were passed for payment.