STRATFORD HOSPITAL BOARD.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 29, 9 May 1916, Page 6

STRATFORD HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Stratford Hospital and Claimable Aid Board was held this mornvng, when there were present: Messrs J. McAllister, C. D. Sole, B. McK. Monson, © Bine, and E- Walter. The Inspector-General, Department of Public Health, wrote stating that in regard to the district nurse position at Whahgamomoua, the proposal would meet with his approval with a small exception. That was, that the subsidy from the Government would not go bevond £loo. Received. Mrs G. L. McLachlan, of Wanganm. was appointed district nurse for the Whnngamomona Medical Association, subject to the approval of the Department'. ,' The Minister of Public Health,, the Hon. G. W .Russell, in a cirehlar letter stated that a large number of men who desired to enlist were prevented from doing so on account of some minor defect or ailment. Many Hospital Boards, with a view to assisting recruiting, had* been good enough to grant free treatment to such possible recruits.—lt was decided to reply to the effect that the Board was treating such men free.

The Sanitary Inspector; ; •., (Mr. , A,Gvay): reported of ittfaniile paralysis during the nlonth, two in Stratford County, and the other in the Whangamomona County. re-nipyed.ito the and the premises disinfected. And the other case is isolated atjhome.. Premises were disinfected in Stratford County where a case of infantile paralysis was nursed at home.i.;<.-Fiw hotels were inspected in the Stratford Borough, ; and recommendations were made ; in connection with four of them. Three hotels were inspected in Stratford and. Whangamomona Counties, and recommendations were made in connection with one of them. Various food shops were inspected throughout the district.—Adopted. The Medical Superintendent (Dr. Steyeii) reported that during the .month of April, nineteen patients were admitted, nineteen /discharged, and .there was one death. Fifteen remained., in hospital at the end of the monthSix operations were oerf/wmed -.under anaesthetics. S fijreltwo eafccs in -the, isolation ward.—Adopted. /The: Gardener, JJMp ;C. ..■jCqrkin), repbrted on the' progress of the work : for the month. He had shifted and planted the hedge that was, on the south side of the drying, ground. He' trimmed 120 gooseberry bushes and replanted them.—Adopted.

The Chairman said he had heard rumours that the Xew Plymouth Board were not going to adhere to the original agreement to convert the old hospital into a home for incurables. The turn Had arrived when the Board should -bt X*«ked definitely what it was going, to do. If -it was not going to curry out the original intention, the Stratford Board should have been informed, and if it was going to adhere to the ■agreement, the building, should be fitted up. * -

The Chairman moved: "That the Taranaki Board bo asked whether the time has come when the o.ld .hospital is to be used for incurables as was urged, and if so., whether steps .will be taken to fit the building tor tht>, purpose," Mr Sole, in seconding the motkui, said the resolution was .not a wiseone on an expenses basie. There were, three incurables in the Stratford hos-, pital w-ho were costing the Board an average of 8s a day, while if they were transferred to New Plymouth they may cost the Board 20s a day.;, He understood that a part of the! old building was to be used .as an isolation hospital as the one in the new hospital was small. >, The Chairman said the incurable, patients should not be in the Stratford hospital, they were a burden on. the staff. They were outside the scope of a hospital. The motion was carried.

The Secretary reported that Adjutant Cook had extended an invitation to the members of the Board to pay a visit of inspection to the Salvation Army Homo at Eltham. The invitation was accepted with thanks. The formal levy for the year was made j County ol Stratford £BO9 7s, Wbangamomona County £l9l Is, Stratford Borough £193 18s, total £ll9l 6s, being at the rate of 9Jd in the £.IOO of capital value in each case. Accounts amounting to £l5O wove passed for payment.