OTAGO HOSPITAL BOARD

Otago Witness, Issue 4029, 2 June 1931, Page 11

OTAGO HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Otago Hospital Board was held last week; present— Mr W. E. S. Knight (chairman), Mrs W. Ross, Airs W. Marshall Alacdonald, Aliss Runcnnan, Alessrs W. F. Quelch, G Gallaway, W. B. Alorgan, J. Dove, J. W. Seurr, D M'Lennan, and Dr Newlands. The Alinister of Health (Mr A. J. Stallworthy) wrote stating that the Government would not refund any amount expended in relief to unemployed. It was expected that such relief would be provided out of the ordinary funds of the board, to which the Government con tributed in the form of a subsidy.—Received. The Director-general of Health (Dr M H. Watt) wrote stating that the estimates of the board fo r the year 1931-32 had been approved by the Minister of Health as follows:—Afaintenance levy. £37,882 7s 2d; maintenance subsidy at 22s lid in the £, £43,360 10s lOd; total, £81,243. It was most important this year that boards should keep their expenditure within the amount provided on the approved estimates.—Received. Mr W. K. Gill wrote stating that he was unable to accept reappointment as a co-optative member of the Tapanui Hospital Committee on account of trans fee from the district.—Received. The honorary medical staff wrote sug gesting the appointment of Dr C. C. Anderson as honorary consulting radiologist to the Dunedin Hospital.—The chairman said there was no provision in the by laws for such a position.—After a dis cussion the suggestion was approved. C. Hannagan and 13 other employees of the board wrote asking for re-considera tion of a reduction in their wages. — Referred to the Finance Committee. The reports of the Benevolent, Sanatorium, Hospital, and Finance Committees were adopted. Air Quelch drew attention to the following clause in the Finance Committee’s report:—“ The whole of the correspondence in reference to a patient sent down from Ranfurly by Dr Watson for admission to Dunedin Hospital has been referred to the Director-general, so that the anomalies in section 92 of the Act might be pointed out. This patient had qualified by residence for treatment in the Maniototo district, but, having been sent to Dunedin, claim cannot be made on the Alaniototo Hospital Board for payment, as his residence, although exceeding three months, was not over 12 months in the last two years.” This, said Air Quelch. was a sample of what took place when a doctor in the country sent'a patient into Dunedin. The board had simply to fake people from these outlying districts and bear the expense of them.

It was resolved, on the motion of Jr Newlands—“That the Sanatorium Visiting Committee be instructed to report on the requisition from the matron at Pleasant Valley with regard to furniture for the nurses’ new home at the sanatorium and report to the Hospital Committee.”