OPOTIKI HOSPITAL BOARD

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 269, 11 December 1939, Page 3

OPOTIKI HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETINC \ Tlio monthly meeting of the Opotiki Hospital Hoard was held in the .Labour Social room on Friday afternoon. .Present : Messrs. S. Maxwell (chairman), G. S. Moody, J. McDonnell, J. 1). Clark and the secretary (Mr. J. A. T. Henry). The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed and outward correspondence read and approved. I nward Correspondence. The Department of-Health wrtke confirming the board’s decision in appointing Dr. James as medical superintendent. Another letter was received from the Department recommending Miss Gillespie as matron of the Opotiki hospital. The Department also wrote regarding the sale of land held by the- board. After a discussion regarding the hoard’s title to the land, it was moved liy Mr. Moody and seconded by Mr. Maxwell, that the-hind lie. sold. 'l'he motion was carried. A letter was received from the Di-rector-General of Health referring to charges of other boards for patients from Opotiki Hospital district. It.was moved by Air. Maxwell, that the Di-rector-General again lie written to expressing dissatisfaction that patients lie allowed to attend other hospitals and run up other expenses there without the permission of the hoard. Mr. McDonnell added that the. outcome oi it all was an added burden put on Opotiki rutepayers. Mr. Twistleton of Mntu, wrote regarding non-admission of patients to Opotiki hospital, citing the case of seven Motu residents, two in his own family, who were stricken with d.vsentry late in September. They were unable to. go to a private hospital, and were refused admission, to the Opotiki hospital, mention being made of the fact that nurses were occupying tinisolation ward. The district nurse in all made 15 trips of over 50 miles, and Lin- whole household of the writer had been put to considerable inconvenience ami trouble owing to the necessity ol treatment at home. He had been paying rates to the hoard for years and was unable to gain admission lor his family when he needed it.

Mr. McDonnell: The Gisborne hospital would not admit them. Mr. ('lark; ’flic board acted on medical advice to keep tho dysontr.i patients isolated. Mr. Maxwell: Why has he lelt it so long to complain if it was so important-' I saw the superintendent at the time, and lie advised tin l complete tseolation of the patients, and considered they would he better away from the hospital. The hoard, then, was merely acting on the advice of the doctors. Tho secretary was instructed to reply on these lines. A Tamnngn architect wmle regarding tin- supply of plans for the proposed maternity annexe.—-Received!. The Tnuranga Hospital Hoard wrote asking whether the local Hoard would send delegates) to a eonlerence ol representatives cf Hay and Waikato hoards regarding the provision of joint tuberculosis shelters. 'I he matter was deferred until next meeting. The farm manager's report was read and approved. The acting-matron’s report was also road . Tho good work of tho Sunshine League was especially mentionecl, and thanks were also extended to Mrs. Shaw. Tirohanga, Miss Lovert, and <>'ttiers for gifts ol; flowers and papers to the Hospital. The report was approved. The superintendent's report was read and approved. 'l’he report showed an increase of admissions over the previous .month, and also an increase in the number ol operations porlnrmod. Dr. James, who was also in attendance, expressed (disappointment that the hom’d lmd been unable to obtain a theatre sister, and staled that there had lieeii more operations and patients with a smaller stafl. Mr. Maxwell said he had definite information that it would be difficult to obtain a theatre sister. He moved that when the new matron commenced duties that Sister Stewart become theatre sister, with a corresponding increase in salary. It would then be easier to get a ivardl sister. This action on the part of the hoard womld show the hoard’s appreciation of her help as acting-mat-ron. The motion was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried. 'l'he chairman then ‘brought forward some figures which lie said would gKe an idea () l the burden that the pakcha

had to carry in the Opotiki district:— Maori Koto Levied —General, £2,526 4s Gel; Hospital, £849 Os Ud. Total, £2,87.0 5s 3tlL .Maori Bate Collected —General and Hospital, £304 15s Gd. Percentage collected of rates levied 10. G.. The above figures are for the last lull year. Air. C lark referred) to the desirability of getting the public interested in the hospital and promoting a good spirit there. He mentioned the good work of the Sunshine League in this respect. He moved that a letter he sent to the Sunshine .League thanking them for their help.' The members of the hoard all expressed their agreement with these .sentiments, until the motion was seconded and carried. It was decided that the date of the general meeting ho advanced to Decern her 201 h. Before the meeting closed, the chairman expressed satisfaction at the sound financial position of the board, and commended the secretary on his efforts in this direction.