HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 19 November 1907, Page 3

HOSPITAL BOARD.

The Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Boanl met yesterday. Present: Messrs J. H, Parker (chairman), F. Bellringer, Jas. Burgess, C. Andrews, C. O'Sullivan, D. il. McDonald, and Jos. Brown. . THANKS. """ Dr Walker wrote, acknowledging with thanks the Hoard's letter intimating addition to his salary, lie thanked the Board for this implied appreciation of his work. MENTAL HOSPITAL NURSES. Dr. Yalintine, Inspector-General of Hospitals, wrote that it was desired that nurses undergoing a course of training in the various mental hospitals of the Dominion should be enabled to obtain experience in medical and surgical work in general hospitals, and it was suggested that after at least three i years' training in a mental hospital and passing the State medico-psychological examination one, or perhaps two, specially selected nurses, should pass Oil to a general hospital for two years and be allowed to then enter for the final State examination for general nurses. It was desirable that the future matrons of mental hospitals should have, in addition to their knowledge of caring for the insane, an. adequate knowledge of. general hospital work and management. Dr Valintinc asked the Board to take the matter into consideration and assist the Department in carrying out this proposal. In reply to a letter from Dr. Leathaifi, asking for further information in regard to the general training of mental hospital nurses. Dr. Yalintine wrote that the State medico-psychological examination was equal to Uie general preliminary State examination in anatomy and physiology, which subject were therein embraced. i iierefore the nunc* need not, study for or enter for this latter examination. Dr Valintiue embodied in. his letter some extracts from a memo, received from the inspector-General of. .Mental Hospitals, with regard to salary, etc. i he Board favored the scheme. OLD PEOPLE'S HOME. The manager (Mr A. E. Jj'arrar) of the Old People's Home reported that there had been one admission during the month and two deaths. Discipline andhealth of the inmates were good. There were now ill the Home 28 inmates—2s males and three females.—Adopted.

MEDICAL REPORT. The Medical Superintendent reported that duriug the mouth :J0 patients were admitted to the Hospital, 20 discharged, and 45 remained ill the Hospital. There were three deaths. Seventeen operations were performed. SALARIES. The chairman reported that whilst in Palmerston North lie had visited the Hospital. There the matron was paid iiljo per annum, aud the deputy-matron £IOO, the matron doing the dispensing. He brought up the matter of increasing the salary of Miss Brown, the matron at the local Hospital—Referred to the House Committee to report. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT.

The chairman reported that the destructor had been finished at the hospital. The installation of the electric light and the re-laying of the gas mains was completed. A considerable saving was expected in this department. Sundry repairs had been ordered in and about the Hospital, such as replacing antiquated traps with more modern ones. There had been considerable illness amongst the stall'. Dr. Walker had spoken to him concerning Miss Testar's charge for massaging Miss Lynn Mills, a recent patient in the Hospital, and recommended re-consideration.—The report was adopted. Dr. Walker attended the meeting, and explained. The Board decided to pay the massage account, aud, with a view of preventing a recurrence, to ask the medical stall' to consult with the Board upon the w hole question. GENERAL. The Stratford Hospital Board forwarded a cheque for £25 10s in payment of a claim for the treatment v* a Stratford patient at New Plymouth. Miss Margaret Coutts, of Tariki, applied to have her name placed on the arobationer's list—Acceded to. "" Accouufc wer" passed for payment as under: —Hospital £455, charitable aid £lO7 17s lid, total £502 17s lid.