TARANAKI HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 293, 20 May 1915, Page 2

TARANAKI HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING., Tlio usual monthly meeting of the Tiiraiiiikj Hospital and Charitable, Aid Hoard was held yesterday,. there.- 'being present: i.Mrs. Dockritl, Messrs E. C. J. Bellringer, K. Maxwell, D. McAllum, J. 11. Hill, J. Brown, C. V. Tate, A. 11. Halcombe, D. 11. .McDonald and A. E. Sykes.

REGENT ELECTIONS.. The secretary read the report of the returning ollicer as to the election of Messrs Bellringer and Sykes and Mrs. Dockrill to the Board. He also stated that as the nomination paper of Mr. McDonald had gone astray, the Government had been recommended to reappoint Mr. McDonald, and there was no doubt that would be done; meanwhile lie could retain his seat. Mr. V. C. J. Bellringer was, on the motion of Mr. McDonald, unanimously re-elected chairman of the Board, and suitably acknowledged the compliment. On taking his seat,, the chairman extended a welcome to Mr. A. E. Sykes, the new member of the -Board. (Mr. Sykes acknowledged the courtesy. REPORTS.

The medical superintendent, Dr. Walker, reported that three cases of diphtheria were under treatment. The annexe was open. With three nurses temporarily oil' duty through illness, the strain of a full hospital had been a heavy one. Sister Hancock had accepted work with the Plunket Society in Dunedin, and Sister Brigham had left in response to an urgent call to Europe. Under existing circumstances the maintenance of a full and efficient staff was a matter of difficulty. The. matron of the Old People's Home reported that everything had progressed favorably at the Home during the month and the discipline had lieen excellent. There had been five admissions, two departures and Ave deaths. 3-2 inmates remaining ('2.") males and 7 females).

The acting-inspector reported that ilnrinar tlie period from April -21 to May :10, 1015, lie had visited Waitara with tlie Tnspeetor-'fiencnil re drainage, and disinfected a tubercular ease at Tnglewood. Four cafes of infectious disease had been notified:—.Diphtheria 3 (Waihi 1, New Plymouth 1, Tikorangi 1)", scarlet fever 1 (Tnjrlewood). He had made four investigations and performed two disinfections. DEARTH OF NURSES.

Tlie chairman drew attention to the large call for nurses owing to the war, and said that the same difficulty was being experienced by other boards. It would, he said, he a great strain on the nursing staff, but no onto would for a moment think of placing any obstacles in the -way of tlie nurses going to the front. 'Mr. .Maxwell suggested that efforts should be made to obtain the services of trained nnrseS who were now in private life. 'Mr. Rykes considered that if the difficulty were made known by advertisement there, .would lie a response.

Mr. Maxwell thought it 'would be possible to induce duly qualified nurses to step into the breach in a patriotic spirit. )Mr. Brown said it seemed to be likely that trouble would arise unless the existing regulations were put aside for the time being and the Board given a free hand. He advocated that the Department should be approached so as to obtain permission for suitable young women, but who were not duly qualified, to give temporary assistance. Mr,-Maxwell was of opinion that every institution in the Dominion should train as many nurses as possible. He advocated in the first instance obtaining as many trained nurses as possible, and make up as far as necessary with- probationers, who would thus obtain trainI ing.

Mr. Brown said his point 'was that it was desirable to induce suitable young women to act as assistants to tlve nurses but not to study for examinations. Tlie chairman said that the matter would be brought before the medical stall' for their consideration and action. Tii regard to the application of Miss Willcox (Rahotu) to be admitted as a probationer at the hospital, the chairman pointed out that applicant had not passed Standard VI., and that would be a great handicap if she intended to take U]) nursing as a profession. Under the exceptional circumstances it was decided to waive the 'Board's regulation and place Miss Willcox's name on the list of probationers.

GENERAL. The resignation of Sister Hancock wos accepted as from May 31. Leave of absence was granted to Mr. M. J. Maeßeynolds. Dr. Eookes wrote thanking the Board for his appointment during Mr. Wylie's absence. Notification 'was received from the Department that the subsidy on the general account was £1)03 13s !)il, and on the building account ;CIU3 ISs sd. . in reply to Mr. Brown, the chairman said he did not think it likely the Board would require an additional levy for the building fund during the ensuing year from public contributing bodies. The Tamnnnmui Hospital Board wrote, forwarding a resolution in favor of the Department indenting all hospital supplies, and asking for co-operation.—The chairman pointed out that the matter was one for tlie Hospital Conference to consider.—On the suggestion of Mr. MaxWell, the letter was held over for further consideration, as the matter was one that required careful handling. Consent was given for the transfer of Mr. .toll's meat contract to Mr. A. Allen. The resignation of Nurse Lang-ley (Urnl'i) was accepted, and steps ore to be taken to fill the vacancy. It was decided to instruct Mr. Kendall to inspect a drain at Opunakc. Some discussion took place, on the initiation of Mrs. Dockrill, as to the functions and duties of the House Committee.—, Mr. Brown advocated that the committee should he a live body, whose duty should lie to regularly visit the hospital and attend to any' matters that a rose.—The chairman said that actually there was very little for the committee to aflend to.—Mr. Maxwell considered that hut for the exceptional in-I'l-o--!, shown by the chairman it would certainly be necessary to ban- a house umnniUee (o deal -willi matters arisiii" b.U-.eu meetbe-.-The chairman" ox"panned, iimr. it any matter of urgency ■■>■>■•• Ik town members of the Board were consul!ed.

The I'ollowin.ic were appointed as a Non.e ronimitiee: JJ rs . Doi-kri'll, Me-srs fyke.-. McAlliim, I'.rown and 'McDonald.

T'he Jbiildiiit; ■Committee was roap|)oinied. Mr. Sykcs beine; substituted i o r .Mr. (!. W. Ibou'iio.

1,11 Hie motion oi'(he chairman, a. vote ol thanks was accorded to Mr. 0. A\\ l.rowne for his services in flie past. the chairman reported that miod progress was hem.; made wi(h the new