OPOTIKI HOSPITAL BOARD

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 205, 10 July 1939, Page 3

OPOTIKI HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING LSI; OF CIMCAAI AT HOSPITAL. The monthly meeting of the Opotiki Hospital Board was held in the Labour rooms on Friday al ternoon. Present.: Alessrs. ,S.-.. Maxwell, G. S. Aioodiv, E. J. Baigent, J. D. Clark,’ U. D. Brown, S Shalloon, G. Neilson. l)r. H. J. Mail (medical superintendent), and Air. J. A. T. Henry (secretary). ’The minutes of the- previous meeting were confirmed and outward correspqindenee read and approved. included in the inward correspondence were numerous letters in connection with the payment of fees. ’J’he hoard’s estimates were approved hy the Department of Health. Appreciation.—Airs. A. A. Short wrote expressing appreciation of the attention given during her illness--in hospital. Resignation.—Aliss N. Newton, of the hospital domestic staff, forwarded her resignation owing tot her forthcoming marriage.

Pro bat ion,-Nurse Goodall also stated she would be- leaving, as she would be commencing training at the Cook Hospital next month. The matron’s and superintendent’s reports were read hy the secretary. The chairman stated that- a patient had walked out of the hospital and nothing was said about- this by either the- matron or the superintendent in their reports. The superintendent had given him a verbal report. Dr. Mail replied that it was an omission on his part and he would add it to his report. Air. .Maxwell said the patient had received leave to go out in the si Iternoon and had got a nur.se to ring up for a taxi. The patient had gone- to a boaril’iug-house anil refused to go back while the .matron was at the hospital. Dr. Mail made a brief report on the matter and said he had given the patient leave to secure luggage before returning to hospital.

Air. G. S. .Moody said it was common talk that patients ' would not go hack to the Opotiki hospital while the maroii was there. Patients were going elsewhere. Tliero seemed to be friction. at- the hospital and he would like to see the matter cleared up. Air. Slialfoon objected to Air. Aluody’s remarks and said it was cnIv fair to go into t-ho matter when the matron was present. He suggested- a special meeting. The chairman said there had been a lot of trouble over the wireless at- the hospital the previous week and explained the way in which businessmen had had their time wasted. Mr. Baigent said there was something wrong somewhere. Tin- chairman said the board would have to get over the friction somehow. Air. J. I). Clark also remarked that thii position was most imsatislactory. Air. Shalloon suggested that- tin board have a committee to chad will such matters. He didn’t think then should be unpleasant feelings at the meetings. Mr. C. D. Brown considered the board could not get any further at that meeting. He would like to hear the matron’s side ol the matters.

Mr. Baigent moved that the matron or sister in charge be asked- to state why they dill not- verity the patient a statement that he had permission from the superintendent t-oi leave the hospital. Seconded bv Air. Brown and carried. ;

It was decided to ask the patient to return to hospital. When the accounts came up lor payment, a number ol questions was asked. It was decided that in future all hospital orders should go through the secretary. The accounts were passed for payment. Thunks.— It was decided to write t( .Mr. G. Griffiths thanking him for making a stand, free of charge, for the oxygen apparatus. . Hospital Farm. It reporting on the hospital farm, the chairman said the farm was definitely paying. In referring to cream and milk con-, sumption at the hospital, -Mr. dark said tho consumption of cream was 7.i times above the average for New Zealand per patient. The board decided to fix a limit per patient at the hospital; the rest of the cream to go toi the factory. The secretary was asked to instruct the farm manager to present a report cacti month on the farm.

Mr. Clark said that had the-amount of cream used at the hospital been erpial to the N.Z. average, it would have meant that another £3O odd would have been received in. the: fac-

tory receipts. Matron’s Report. Tlie matron, .Miss McLean, reported as follows for the menthol June:— Hospital was busy during the month. Miss U. Lindsey was appointed night sister and commenced duty on June 30th. last. Miss J. Francis commenced duty as a probationer on the yth. inst. The resignation of Nurse Gouda I. win;, is commencing training in Cook Hospital received with regret. Also resignation K. Newton as cook.Her work has been excellent. Doth these positions will he Idled on the 1-1 tli. July next. We have to thank the Sunshine League for the gift of a wireless set for the nurse’s sittingrocm. It is much appreciated. Also .Mr. Grilfiths for a very good oxygen stand. Orphans’ Chib for books,-Mrs. .Deters, Omaio, for supplies of kumeras and' fish. Requirements: three bedsteads ol hospital type for nurses’ heme and three mattresses for same. A supply of china for nursing staff. Superintendent's Report. |)r. H. J. Mail, medical superintendent reported:. Admitted US. discharged 37, died 1, remaining in hospital to. Operations performed *3. ’