HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 128, 17 October 1912, Page 6

HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. ) The Taranaki Hospital Board met yes- I terday. Members present were: Mr. V. j C. J. Bellringer (chairman) and Messrs | G. W. Browne, W. Cutfleld. E. Maxwrl'. M. J. Mcßevnolds. J. R. Hill. J. Brnnn, A. 11. Halco'mbe and D. H. McDonald. NEW HOSPITAL PLANS. Messrs Atkins and Bacon, architects, Wellington, forwarded a print of the' general plan of the proposed new hospital buildings, embodying the revisions decided upon by the chairman (Mr. Bellringer) and Dr. Walker, and approved by the Inspector-General. They had made no special provision for heating by other than the usual method, but this I would not affect the general arrange- ! ment of the plan except by the omission of a few fireplaces. Dr. Walker had made a suggestion to introduce a complete system of heating by radiators i» lieu of coal fires, only a few fireplaces in the sitting-rooms being required. On the motion of Mr. Maxwell, sec- ■ onded by Mr. G. W. Browne, it was decided that the architects be informed that the Board could not for one moment consider the payment of an extra fee for providing for heating by radiators, as it had engaged them as experts in hospital designing, and therefore expected provision for an up-to-date system and not an obsolete one—termed "ordinary" by them. The architects are also to be informed that the Board agrees to the sketch plan submitted so far as it goes.

TO FIGHT CONSUMPTION. j Mr. J. Coyle, secretary of the Welling-! < ton Hospital and Charitable Aid Board,' forwarded a copy of the report dealing I with consumption, which was adopted by that body. It had also approved of r the. recommendations of its special committee—(l) That the chronic and late cases of consumption must be sent to I suitable modified sanatoria, or if they i I remain in their own homes then the people in contact with them must thor- i I oughly understand the nursing of such leases; (21 that the Government take] J more stringent measures re consumps tion- and other infectious diseases amongst the natives, and that notification of all forms of tubercular disease be carried out more rigidly; (3) that legislation be passed by the Government > to compel treatment and segregation of ] the refractory consumptive who will not ] submit to treatment or voluntary self-, t discipline, and is a source of great daniger to the community, URUTI NURSING SCHEME. I A copy was received of the rules for ] the appointment of district nurses undel 1 the district nursing scheme. In forwarding the rules to the committee of the Uruti scheme, Dr. Valintine said that these rules were framed for general purposes, but as each district differed somewhat from others in condition, either of accessibility, of means of settler, or other particular, he asked the committee to submit for the approval j of the Department any modifications of | the rule.? which would render them more !' applicable to the district. Consideration was given of : Mr. Halcombe's notice of motion that the Board i contribute £25 per year towards the Uruti district nursing funds. According to Mr. Halcombe the balance-sheet of j the Association showed that unless the j fund received assistance they would be \ unable to carry on: The Uruti people

were helping themselves, and there was no, doubt that the treatment of the cases by the Uruti district nurse relieved the Board of many patients at the hospital. It was only 'fair, therefore, that the Board .should make a donation. Another requirement was a house for the nurse. : She wanted a-home of her own to go I into after a day's work. Many of the j J people with whom she had to billet had I large families, and had not the conveniences necessary for a nurse. If the nurse had a home of her own she would be able to take a patient into it. The donation of £25 would be devoted to the erection of a cottage. Mr. Maxwell said that there were many other districts, especially down the coast, similarly situated as Uruti, where there was no district nursing . scheme in operation. \fter considerable discussion, Mr. Halcombe withdrew his motion, and agreed to the substitution of an amendment that in the event of the nursing committee erecting a cottage the Board, would contribute a sum of not less than , ' £25 towards its funds. The amend- j ment was carried. APPOINTMENT OF PROBATIONERS. The committee set up to report on the appointment of probationers recommendcdthat all applicants whose names we on the list be asked if they were still prepared to keep their applications open, H that the names of all those not relinl or answering in the negative be struck off the roll. The names eft vudthcnDe submitted to the Hospital Superintendent, and if approved placed . oK list in rotation.-The report was adopted. MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.

The Hospital Superintendent (Dr. E. A. Walker) reported that during September 41 patients had been admitted to the hospital, and 43 discharged. There were three deaths, leaving 40 patients remaining in the hospital. Seventeen operations were performed during the month.

OLD PEOPLE'S HOME. The matron (.Mrs. A. Bayly) reported that everything had heen very satisfactory in the Old People's Home during the past month. The discipline had been excellent, with the exception of the case of an old man aged 82 years, who while out for the day fell and dislocated his shoulder. He was most tractable, and did not cause any disturbance. During the month there had been six admissions (Ave men and one woman) and one departure. This left in tlie Home 27 males and nine females.

INSPECTOR'S REPORT. 11l his monthly report, the inspector (Mr. A. 11. Kendall) reported that during the past month four cases of enteric fever and one of tuberculosis were notified. The cases of enteric fever were: One at Rahotu, one at Kaipnkapuka pa (Sentry Hill), one at the Mahoetahi road (Waitara) and one at Parihaka; and the case of tuberculosis at Inglewood. During the month he had visited Opnnako, Rahotu, Pimgan-hu.. Okato, Urenui. Waitara and Parihaka. and the Maori pa at Sentry T1 ill on four occasions. lie had disinfected two premises after scarlet fever; three premises after tuberculosis: and four premises af'.e;- typhoid i fever; and also the schools ;■.; Huirangi and 'Pungarehu. He had. in accordance with instructions, enquired into and reported to the Public .Health Department upon the railway conveniences at NewPlymouth, the water supply at Urenui. and Mr. Joll's boiling-down works at New Plymouth.