OPOTIKI HOSPITAL BOARD

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 192, 9 June 1939, Page 4

OPOTIKI HOSPITAL BOARD

- MONTHLY MEETING CHARGE FOR CHILDREN OBJECTION TO AUCKLAND RATE The following members were present at the monthly! meeting of the Opotiki Hospital Board: Messrs. S. Maxwell (chairman), G..J. Neilson C. D. Brown, J. McDonnell, G. B. Moody-' U|he medical superintendent (i)r. H. J, Mail) and the secretary (Mr. J. A. T. Henry) were also present. Outward correspondence was approved. t - : The resignation of.(Sister Ferguson owing tot her forthcoming marriage, was received. '-J , The Cook Hospital Board*, wrote in connection with the suggested appointment,of a radiologist at the Gishorue. andkstated,.that there ry would be noi charge made to the -- Oltetijci Boat'd as a result-;.of an apIn a. reply to the Opotiki objection to‘the charge of 15s, per day for tlie treatment of child i patients from, this district at the Auckland, hospital, the Auckland" Hospital -Board; stated that generally thtPcost of treatment for children"'was higher - than for adults.—The Chairman said he’ was still 01 1 the opinion- that "they should only have to pay half ratels. Half;-rates were common to most hospitafs -in New Zealand.

‘ The* Hospital Boards’ Association wrote re the Social Security benefits .to patients. It was stated that where ; ; the am.oun,| involved! Was £6, £1 10s was paid, to the beneficiary. In all other.cases 75 per cent, would be paidthe;, board and 2o peHcent. to- the beneficiary. Sickness benefits would be paid !direSt to tlie patients. *' During-a discussion on-the question ■fif patients from the M-ptuhora district being sent to the Cook Hospital, it was decided toi ask the mmjse in future (Ip. direct patients to come to the Opotiki hospital. Members out that there was‘very .little differr,.. once in the distances to the two fios-" - pita! and '.that .patients should '-conic to their own district hospital, and that treatment would bo cheaper for the -Opotiki Board. In connection with the matron-s re- .. W>, port, the board decided to 1 get particulars of a suitable carrier for the. oxygen apparatus. it was also de-. cided to advertise for a night sister.. In dealing with the superintendr ent’s -report, the board decided to take no action in connection with an”f emergency electric light.■ 'lt was stated that the batteries and ..charger would be fairly costly. The chairman stated that when the duplicate lino from Arapuhi was in operation there would not be • liiuch danger, of the power being cut off to any serious extent. . '

■'/he secretary was instructed to enquire into hospital bureau charges. Accounts totalling £444/5/7 were passed for payment. *

Reports. The matron. Miss McLean, reported as follows:—Hospital has been busy. . Nurse Fergusqn will be leaving at end of June.,on account of her approaching marriage. Our thanks to the Sunshine League for material for bed capes tor.male patients. Mr. W. M. Hu tier for game and Mr. Fisher (c/o Mr. Horne) for magazines. We' require: .some heavy wood for open fires. At present we are using light .manuka. Also a stand on wheels for tlie oxygen apparatus to f. facilitate the moving of, the apparatus to the different wards. ’ The superintendent’ s report for 31 ay stated that 46' patients had been admitted, 45 discharged,-.two deaths, and 15 patients remained, in hospital. Operations 14. There is -no- emergency lighting l equipment at the hospital*