HOSPITAL BOARD.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 9 April 1920, Page 3

HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. Sir James Wilson (chairman) presided at the monthly meeting of the Palmerston North Hospital Board yesterday, the other members present being Mrs Gill, Dr. Whitaker, Messrs M.

A. Moody, D: Collis, J. A. Nash, M.P., W. Murdoch, F. Penn, J. H. Vincent, IV. G Pearce, H. W. Smart, and A. E. Pearce. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs J. H. Hornblow and J. W. Bramtvell. A letter was received from the Public Trust Office regarding the loan of £40.000, stating that when the loan was granted a time-table was laid down for

the. Board under which the loan was payable, by instalments. This arrangement was departed from and the instalments were to be £3OOO per month from April, 1919. This later arrangement

had not been adhered to, and it was

asked that the Board would make a definite arrangement to uplift, regular monthly instalments, as the present method of paying out was not satisfactory. —xt evas decided to uplift instillments at regular intervals. The Chief Health Officer advised that in the event of a recrudescence of the influenza epidemic, or any outbreak of disease in the district, necessitating temporary hospital accommodation, the Defence Department had a large number of tents available for such purpose. In ilie event, therefore, of an outbreak j il would be as well for the Board to | hear this matter in mind before mak- ] ing other provisions for temporary hospital accommodation. The Inspector-General of Hospitals wrofe stating that the conference of hospital boards had been fixed fur Tuesday. June Ist, at Wellington. On the motion of Mr Nash it was resolved that a sum of ££ooo be allocated from loan money for laying out tin; hospital grounds, in accordance with a selieino presented by Mr Black, and that the work be proceeded with -at

It was resolved that the secretary be empowered to dispose of the big motor ambulance (the Otaki district children's ambulance) and secure a new one, in accordance with the resolution of' tile last Board'meeting.

In connection with a recent death from tetanus at the Palmerston Hospi-

tal. reports were presented from the medical .start to the effect that everything possible had been done in the

case. The Board resolved that a letter In- sent to the solicitor who bad asked fur un enquiry into the case, stating flint the Board had made enquiries, and found that there was no evidence of neglect or maltreatment, and that everything possible had been done for tlm patient. An amendment proposed l,y Mr W. G. Pearce, to the effect that a copy of the reports be sent to the patient's parents, through their solicitor. was defeated. The report will bo sent to Mr Bramwcll, who was unable to be present at the meeting The re organisation of the honorary medical staff in accordance with rhe findings of a special committee was adopted by the Board, the recommendations being as follows: —(1) That tlie medical superintendent, the consuiting surgeon and the senior surgeon shit 11 be an advisory committee, and any matter concerning the appointments to the medical staff or matters in connection with the medical work can be referred to them by the Board, the committee to act for twelve months. (2) That Dr. Peach be appointed consulting surgeon and Dr. Putnam be appointed senior surgeon, both appointments to be for two years. (3) That, applications be called annually for positions as surgeons or physicians on the honorary staff, appliplii:ants to be available for all or any position. (Four vacancies have to be filled this year.) (4) That an assistant to the medical officer be appointed. (5) That steps bo taken to provide Toom for medical assistant, medical superintendent, etc. O’) That the necesary alterations be left in the hands of the chairman. Account.s amounting to £"ds4 40s 9d were passed for payment.