TARANAKI HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 October 1916, Page 7

TARANAKI HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The Taranßlii Hospital and Charitable Aid, Board met yesterday. Those present were: Mr. F. C. J. Be'llringer (chairman), Mrs. Dockrill, Messrs A. E. Sykes, E. Maxwell, M. J. •Macßeynolds, J. R. Hill, J. Brown and G. H. McDonald. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT. Dr. E. A. Walker, medical superintendent; reported that during September 78 patients were admitted to the hospital. Seventy-six patients were liseharged, two died and !)4 remained in the hospital at the end of the month, making a daily average of 86.8. JForty-ninc operation's were performed. The superintendent added that during the month the staff had been busily engaged on account of the high daily average and the large proportion of major operations. OLD PEOPLE'S: HOME. Mrs. A. Baily, matron of the Old People's Home, reported that everything was satisfactory at the home. • One person was admitted in September and one inmate left. Thirty-seven persons, 33 males and four'~iemales, remained in the home

AN OVERWORKED STAFF. Miss E. Browne, matron, wrote stating that considerable difficulty was being experienced in getting the nurses away for their holidays owing to the great increase in ward work. As an outcome of the letter the Board decided to appoint tvro probationers. A SERIES OF COMPLAINTS. Referring to the Coalitions at the hospital, Mr. J. Brown said the cupboards at the patients' beds were not satisfactory. The windows were loose, and they rattled every time the wind blew. They formed a source of annoyance to the patients. Mr. Brown the glass in the fanlights was frequently breaking and letting the rain through. He was also dissatisfied with the lighting arrangements. "It is impossible to keep milk sweet unless the dairy is placed in a better position," Mr Brown added. He werit on to say that there was an insufficient supply of hot water near the dairy, and that the outlets at the sinks were too small. Curtains were wanted badly on the verandahs. Mr. Brown added that he had been in the hospital for sortie time, «nd he had no fault to find with the medical or nursing staff., It was the administration that was at fault.

The chairman said every care had been taken prior to the completion of the hospital, and that all decisinns had been made after careful consideration. No action was taken in the matter. The Gas Company wrote stating, with respect to a complain that the heating arrangements in the operating theatre, of the hospital were not satisfactory, j that the fault probably lay with the meter, and undertook to replace it.

SUPPLIES OF requisites; The Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board wrote placing before the Board a proposal to hold a conference of representatives from all the hospital and charitable aid boards in the Dominion for the purpose of considering the question of establishing or formulating a co-operative scheme for purchasing hospital supplies. It was proposed to hold the conference in January

The Board considered the proposal a good one, and resolved to support it.