OPOTIKI HOSPITAL BOARD

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 255, 6 November 1939, Page 2

OPOTIKI HOSPITAL BOARD

MEDICAL OFFICER APPOINTED EMERGELNGY LIGHTING THEATRE SISTER REQUIRED The monthly meeting of + l;e Opotiki Hospital Board was. held', on Friday afternoon. . Present : Messrs.. S. Maxwell (chairman), G. S. Moody, J. McDonnell, J. D. Clark, E. J. Baigent,. G. Neil son, S. Shalfoonj l)r. C. James (medical superintendent), and Mr. J. Henry (secretary). The minutes of theprevious meeting were confirmed and outward correspondence read and approved. The secretary reported that it wouldnow be necessary to increase the insurpremium for coverage on plate glass whuUows, and th.o board approved of additional premium,. Inward Correspondence. The Department of Health wrote iu. connection with the board’s enquiry re the duties of district nurses and stated that when additional information was. to. hand the board would be communicated’ with further.

The Department cf Health wrote re emergency lighting at the hospital and. pointed out that the use cf oenzmo lights would ho quite unsatisfactory owing to the danger of explosion from the use of anaesthetics.

The chairman stated that the fire extinguishers at the hospital required refilling at intervals. Mr. Baigent expressed the opinion that members ol the hospital staff should be instructed, at suitable intervals in the use of thefire extinguishers.

House Property. Correspondence was read dealing with the proposed purchase of house property near the hospital. Mr. Shalloon said the purchase of the house would mean furthci rates to be met by local bodies. Members pointed out .that accommodation would have to be provided and it would be cheaper to purchase the house and section than to erect a new building. Mr. Clark said the purchase would be a good business proposition on the part of the board. Mr. Shalloon said he was not opposed to it. but was just stating that the ratepayers would have to pay. -The chairman agreed with Mr. Shalloon that the cost wouldi come on the ratepayers but said the question had to be met.

Mr. Clark moved that the board purchase tile property. Seconded by the chairman and carried unanimousl}. Mr. 15aigont moved that the board, endeavour to secure authority to sell the board’s section in St. John Street near the borough boundary. Seconded and! carried.

Medical Officer.—A letter from the. Department of Health recommended the appointment of Dr. IL. Alai 1 as district medical officer. In moving that Dr. Mail be appointed, the chairman, said he had followed the recommendation of the Department previously and he was doing the same again. The motion was seconded by MiMoodv and! eanied unanimously. Mr. M'eDonnoll : Why don't you sav “No”. Stever Mr. Shalloon : L’m not such a fool. The Department- of Health wrote in connection with the regulations dealing with the admission oi district patients "to other hospitals. The chairman said that anyone could now go. into any hospital and no protest could he made l\v a hoard. The Opotiki Board last year had[ paid out £IISO on account of Opotiki residents being admitted to other hospitals. Mr. Maxwell moved! that the board send a protest to the Hospital Board's Association, asking the Association to take up the protest. The chairman added that the Auckland Board even charged 16s per clay for a ha by. Mr. Shalfoon asked if any other board was protesting. The chairman said that Whakatane and other country hoards were protesting. Opotiki had, previously been hit very hard but under the new regulation the position would be much worse. Members voted unanimously in favour of the motion. Mr.Baigent suggested that the secretary prepare a statement oi outside fees owing to the Opotiki Board. He stated that according to last balancesheet the sum of £2OOO was shown a> owing to the Opotiki Board The secretary said he hoped to have a statement at an early date. Mr. Clark presented a comprehensive report on the conditions in. connection with the district nurse’s residence at To Knlia. The board decided to donecessary repairs afid also to purchase necessities. AD*. 'Shnlfoon said the (Continued on Page 4.)