HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 July 1915, Page 2

HOSPITAL BOARD.

Til!•: M:I►NTIILV 'M'KKTI.VO. The Taranaki Hospital anil 'Charitable r \id. lioard nicl 'i resent Air. I'. licllringer (chairman), :Mrs. Doc.krill, Messrs A. K. 'Sykes, K. Maxwell, M. 'I. MacKeynolds, •). liroivn. A. 11. llalcomlhc. I). .1. McDonald anil .1. 1!. Jlill. old pkoplf/s uomu. ;Mrs. A. 'liayly (matron of the (lid People':) Home) reported tliat during the past month everything had l>een progressing very satisfactorily. Discipline had been excellent, 'with the exieption of one ease. There were four admissions and three departures, leaving in the Home 1)1 males and li females. WORK OF THK HOSPITAL.

Tlie medical superintendent (Dr. K. A. Walker) reported that during the month ,">•"> patients were admitted, 54 were discharged, two died, and fil) remained in jtlie hospital. The highest number in the 'hospital on one day was (13. The number of operations was 47. Dr. Walker adds: "Another very ftusy month, with accommodation overtaxed, has to be reported. Especially has this been so in the isolation (block. The inadequacy of the accommodation has been keenly felt, and the question of fuller provision for infectious diseases will have to be faced immediately." The chairman said the outbreak of infectious disease at Waitara had ibeen responsible for taxing the isolation accommodation. This was an experieme which was to be expected every year, and while the question of now isolation accommodation could not be considered no\y the Hoard would have to take into consideration the question of providing temporary accommodation. The chairman added that it was astonishing how rapidly infections cases recovered under the new treatment.

INSPECTOR'S REPORT. The inspector reported:—l have the ! honor to report that since 1 resumed duties as inspector on July 'Z, I!H,>, the unfortunate outbreak of diphtheria that has occurred has required my chief attention, seven further oases having occurred, the last case being notified a little over a week ago. Six cases 'have been treated in the hospital, and as I have insisted on more careful isolation and quarantine of contacts. I ain hoping Lliitt the end of the outbreak is not far .away. I have also disinfected the State school and the principal public llalls, t\nd prosecuted all possible investigations with a view to finding out if possible the source of t'he outbreak in Waitara and clist; ict. There has also 'been notilievl one case at lluirangi, one at New Plymouth, and one at Spotsnood and Kent road. I have reported on all these cases to the District Health Officer at Wellington. Three cases of scarlet fever have been notified at Bell Block ,and one in New Plymouth. 1 have disinfected in fourteen cases during the month. •KEEPING ACCOUNTS. Lengthy correspondence was received in regard to the suggested new system of keeping accounts and the opinions of various hospital boards expressing opposition to the scheme were received. Of the opinions received all were against the idea except the Wellington Board.

The chairman said this innovation in the way of keeping accounts had mot with opposition throughout the Dominion. Kxtra work would lie entailed and thorp would be no compensating 'benefits from the change. Mr. Bcllringer thought the Board should enter a vigorous protest against the whole scheme. The Hoard should be in a position to show the powers that 'lie that if they insisted on this change it would cause general dissatisfaction.

Mr. Brown moved that the members of ll'arliament should be approached to Wave the section of the Act enforcing the new regulations repealed. Mr. Maeßeynolds seconded the motion. Mr. Maxwell protested against the idea of centralisation in Wellington. He thought the Board should reject this scheme as one which was unreasonable and useless. The motion was carried, and it was decided to send a copy of the resolution to every hospital board in the Dominion, GEXERAI,. The question of a portion of the Awakino district joining the hospital district again arose. The chairman said it.was more a. matter for the Government than the Board, and the TJovernment had it on record that the Board did not dbject to taking in part, of the district. The chairman referred to the question of furnishing the new hospital, and, he tabled a list of requirements drawn up by the medical start', involving an expenditure of £3OOO, Without discussion the matter was left to the town members of the Board.