TARANAKI HOSPITAL BOARD

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 248, 19 April 1912, Page 6

TARANAKI HOSPITAL BOARD

OTTAI UMAX'S AXXTJAL REPORT. At the annual meeting of tne Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, Mr. P. C. Bellringer (chairman) submit-;' ted a very interesting report of the year's work. NEW HOSPITAL. The Board had decided upon the erection of a more commodious and up-to-date hospital, the old hospital (erected in 18S7) having out-lived its usefulness. The increased area of the hospital district had also tended to greatly increase the overcrowding, rendering new buildings absolutely necessary. The plans were prepared .by .Messrs Atkins and .Bacon, of Wellington, specialists in the preparation of plans for hospital buildings, and the ground plans were finally approved in January, 1912. In the old hospital provision was made for 28 (beds, although for some years more patients have been accommodated. The new hospital, which provides for 100 beds, will be. of the most modern type, containing four large wards, a | children's ward, and single and two-bed wa.rda, with all necessary administrative, medical and surgical accommodation. The .Board had endeavored both to meet the immediate needs of the present as well as to make reasonable provision for the future, and at the same time not to incur any expenditure that was not absolutely necessary for the efficient working of the institution. The ! accommodation provid ! should be amj pie for many years, The building was so planned that additional wards could be added. It would be erected on the site, from which the Old People's Home was recently removed. The. site had ■been prepared at a cost of £7OO. The final plans would shoiily be placed before the Board, when -no douht tenders would be invited for the erection of the j building. Until that time he would recommend that no contributions be asked from the local bodies affected, when the Board would know the exact amount j required. The Hon. Minister for Hosj pitals had assured them that the local I bodies concerned would have no diffiI culty in obtaining an advance from the i Government on the most advantageous I conditions. I OLD PEOPLE'S HOME. ! This was now established at Westown, [ und although the initial cost might seem heavy, the decision of the Board in acquiring this valuable property was a wise one, and would be more and more appreciated in years to come. With the land now available the institution was largely self-supporting, and it was now I possible to provide all the milk, vege- | tables and poultry required both at the I Old People's Home and at the Hospital, L the more able-hodied of the inmates ■ providing the laibor, During the past six months 4322 gallons of milk have been supplied to the Home and the Hos- I pital, which, at Is per gallcn, repre- I sents £2lO. a sum more than sufficient '• i to pay the interest on the land purchased and the salary of the man in charge., The Board also had the satisfaction -of knowing that the quality of the milk was of the very best. As anticipated, the removal had hail an appreciable effect' for the better upon the health of the inmates. At the beginning of the year there were 31 inmates, during the year , 30 were admitted, 18 discharged, 9 died and 34 remained at the end of the year. Mrs. Bayly was still in cnarge and had given every satisfaction. "MEDICAL 'STAFF. There had been no permanent changes in the personnel of the medical staff. The medical superintendent, Dr. Walker, during his visit to the Old Country, purchased several modern surgical apj pliances, which had been installed, and i the thanks of the Board were due to j him. During Dr. Walker's absence the i duties were carried out by Mr. Wylie, !to the complete satisfaction of the Board. Dr. Home acted as assistant _ medical officer find Dr. Blackiey was in j charge of the Old People's Home and charitable aid. Dr. Leatham still conI tinued in charge of the X-ray departt ment. Though the year had been a heavy onje, the work "had" been carried out in a very efficient manner. It was also desirable to place on record the appreciation of the Board at the very valuable services of the honorary medical staff. NURSING 'STAFF. Miss Brown was still in charge of the hospital, and has under her one submatron, five sisters and 14 probationers. The total number of patients under treatment for the year was 444. the individual average stay of patients being 29:63 days, and the daily average 35.95. The work of the nursing staff had ibeen the heaviest yet experienced, and was no doubt one of the reasons for, the large amount of sickness amongst the nursing staff itself. The devotion of the matron and staff to their duties had been highly praiseworthy, aim 'was much appreciated. LMAINTENANCE OF INCURABLES. A conference between the Hawera, Stratford and Taranaki Boards was held and an agreement arrived at by which, on the erection of the new hospital, the present building would be used for the accommodation of incurables from the provincial district of Taranaki. Meantime, temporary provision was being made for suitable cases at the Old Peo"ple's Home. INFECTIOUS DISEASES'. The Board appointed Mr. A. H. Kendall to ibe Inspector of Infectious Diseases in August last, the secretary having carried out the. duties temporarily. The Inspector had been fully occupied, and had performed his duties in a painstaking manner. The outbreak of typhoid amongst the natives at Puniho and the measures taken by him to prevent the spread of the disease were sufficient to demonstrate the necessity for the appointment. FINANCE. The Board commenced the year with a credit balance of £1093 lis 3d, but there were then outstanding liabilities which reduced this to £l2l. Receipts amounted to £.07(51 3s 9d, payments from patient, amounting to £lßl9 18s lOd. The average collected per patient was £4 2s, as against £5 8s 8d last year. This, however, compared more than favorably with any hospital in the Dominion. Donations amounted to £479, as against £823 for the previous year, which, howcvei\ was exceptional. The general .expenditure had not increased to any appreciable extent. The cost of administration of the Hospital shewed a slight increase, ibut a decrease at the Old People's Home, as did also the expenditure on charitable aid. At the beginning of the year he moved that the lew should be »d per £|loO, pointing out "that in view of the cprtain anticipated extraordinary expenditure the levy of 8d would result in a substantial overdraft. The levy was fixed at Sd per £IOO. The total expenditure amounted to £9(ioy, leaving a debit balance of £lBlO 8s 10d. There were .also liabilities amounting to ) £1349 on. the general account and £SOO to be paid from the building Jew when struck. There was a sum of £1289 duej from the (.'overnment subsidy. The extraordinary expenditure, which ■ included renovating the present hospital, preparation of site of 'the new hospital, ■sheds, fencing, stock, etc., at the Old People's Home and salary of inspector amounted to £I6OO.

THANKS. In conclusion, he wishod to place on record his (appreciation of the very valuable assistance rendered hv the Inspect-or-General .of Hospitals (Dr. Va] in tine) in connection with the plans of the new hospital, and in all matters tending to increase the efficiency of the hospital. His assistance and advice had been invaluable, and he had shown the utmost courtesy. 'He also inferred 'to the good work ■performed by the Board's ■officials and staff. The thanks of the Board were due to the medical staff, the matron and her stall' .for their unremitting attention to the patients and to the institution; to the matron of the Old People's 'Home and to the inspector for the manner in which they had discharged their duties. The secretary (Mr. C. M. Lfpper) had at all times discharged his various duties in an excellent manner, and whilst the affairs of the Board were administered <by such painstaking and careful officials the hospital must continue to give satisfaction and to maintain its high standard. Lastly, he thanhed his (colleagues for their uniform courtesy and consideration. It had been a pleasure to preside. Naturally, they had not always ibeen unanimous, but opinion had been advocated temperately and fairly, and there had been an entire absence of any personal ill-feeling. On the motion of Mr. Maxwell, seconded by Mr. McDonald, it was resolved that the report Tie received and that the chairman be thanked for his services as chairman during the year.