HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 November 1917, Page 7

HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. ! The Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board met to-day. Present: Messrs M. Fraser (chairman), J. Andrews, F. J. Hill, J. Young, G. Capper, A. E. Sykes, A. H. Halcombe, and the Rev. E. B. Gosnell. Tiie chairman, in extending a welcome to the new members, said that for the last two months the work of the board had fallen upon Mr. Hill and himself. Just lately Mr. Sykes had been appointed. The new members would therefore recognise how sincerely they were welcomed to their seats on the board.

Mr. Fraser continued: ,; It is gratifying to know that during this period, when the board management was held in suspense, the medical superintendent and his staff carried out their duties in their usual efficient and satisfactory manner. It is a matter for congratulation that the board has men in charge of tho hospital eminently fitted for the work they had to do. I sincerely trust that this new board will realise the great responsibility that has been p!:.;cd in their hands and respond to the spirit of devotion to duty and personal sacrifice that the staff has shown." In conclusion, the chairman said the hospital work had increased enormously of late and great hardship had been experienced by the nursing staff. They had suffered severely from lack of proper accommodation, and the first duty of the board was to see that proper provision was made for their comfort. It was an urgent matter. i WORK AT THE HOSPITAL, The medical superintendent, Dr. E. A. Walker, reported that with a lower average the work of the past month had been less heavy than in the previous record month, and the opportunity had been takell to get 'in as much annual holiday leave as possible for tho Btaff. The surgical side had been, as usual, very busy, and the number of operations for October, 59, was the highest on record. Nine soldiers had been treated as in-patients and 14 as out-patients. Colonel Christie inspected all soldiers on November 19. Seven cases of diphtheria had been treated during the month. There had been no further case of scarlet fever. Number of patients ad; mitted to hospital, 80; discharged, 88* died, 0; patients remaining in hospital, 84; highest number for one day, 98; daily average; 91.1; number of operations, 59. GENERAL MATTERS, Mr. C. F. B. 'Perrin (dispenser and house steward) reported that the recent earthquake caused the arch at the front entrance to drop slightly. Messrs Messenger and Griffiths inspected the placo, and repairs were now being carried out, Mr. Luscorabe pointed out the necesity of top-dressing the lawns; it was therefore necessary to put an extra man on, and he was pleased to say the work had been completed in a most satisfactory manner. A door had been put in the scarlet fever isolation which enabled the patients access to the bathroom and lavatory without passing through the nurses' kitchen. -Warders -Shepherd and White applied for an increase in their present salary (35s per week), and considered that as they were working 59 to 00 hours per week they should be paid an extra shilling per day. The matron had informed him that she required ten easy chairs in each V'ard. At present there were 17 chairs distributed between the different wards, and it would therefore bo necessary to provide 23 more. There were quite a number of good books in the old hospital which were only deteriorating, and he suggested that a Btnall bookcase be made for each ward and tne books brought up for the benefit of the patients. He had again to remind the board of the incinerator. NURSES' HOLIDAYS. The acting-matron (Miss Campbell) reported that tho following nurses went off duty: Sister Kennedy, on October 19; Nurse Dew, on 25th; Nurse Rolston, on 29th; Nurse Leech, on November 7; Nurse Waller, on 7th; and Nurse Berry, on 19th. Returned from sick leave: Nurse Salway, on October 19; Nurse L. Lanßley. on October 25. Returned after holiday leave: Sister Gill, on November 0; Sister Kennedy, on 10thj Nurse Hall( on October 28; Nurse Waite, on November 3; Nurse Dew, on November 14; Nurse Rolston, on November 19. OLD PEOPLE'S HOME. Mrs Bayly, matron of the Old People's Home, reported that progress had been satisfactory. The supplies had been very good indeed. Discipline had been excellent, with the exception of one case which was reported to the secretary. There had been five admissions, one departure, and 41 males and six females remained in the institution. INFECTIOUS. DISEASES. The health inspector (Mr, A. H. Kendall) reported that the number of cases of infectious disease notified in the district showed a very satisfactory diminution. Eight cases were notified, the whole of the cases being diphtheria, five of which occurred in the borough of New Plymouth, one at Oka.to, and two at Warea. All cases, with one exception, were treated in hospital, and proper precautions were taken in all cases to prevent the spread of infectic.

MEDICAL STAFF'S RESTfiNATION.

A joint letter was read from the members of the medical staff stating that they would be glad to accept the suggestion made to them by the town members of the board—that they should allow their resignations to stand over until the end.of the month. The doctors stated that they were pleased to note the feeling of the town members and this might materially facilitate the settling of the Present most regrettable position. The Chairman said it was a delicate matter, and it behoved the board to approach it not with fear and trembling, but with good heart. He moved "That this board acknowledges with thanks the receipt of the letter from the medical superintendent and staff. and concludes that the resignations will now be finally withdrawn, seeing that the cause of dissatisfaction has subsided." Mr. Andrews seconded. The Chairman said that from what he had seen in the last month or two it was a perfect wonder to him that the men who could be picking up money like sheila by devoting themselves to private practice were doing the work at the hospital, in the public interest, for practically nothing. There was the medical superintendent and the X-rays specialist, for instance. . The wonderful'

patience exhibited by the medical staff, end their invaluable work, were Tjeyond all praise. Soldiers were continually arriving at the hospital with fearful wounds and the treatment that was given them was everything that expert knowledge and care could give. And it was being given, he considered, for nothing.

Mr. Halcombe heartily endorsed the motion. He did not think that any other hospital in New Zealand had been so fortunate with its staff as had New Plymouth. They had an extremely fine staff, and he trusted that the best of feelings would exist between the new board and the medical staff. Few really realised what those men had given up for the hospital. Continuing, he said he was sorry to see that one candidate at the recent election had claimed that tho Hoapital Board had been squandering the rate-payers' money. The whole position in a nutshell was that if the last board had thought less of the ratepayers and more of the hospital the trouble would have been avoided. (Hear, hear.) There was absolutely no doubt whatever they would have to face the building of the new nurses' home. It was vitally necessary. Probably they would have to pay more in a few years to build it than it would coat at the present time. Tho "Rev. !R. B. Gosnell said his calling took him constantly among suffering, sickness and sorrow. He could say that the people in the Egmont County held the staff of the New Plymouth Hospital in tho highest esteem. Mr. Young agreed. The motion was carried. OUTSTANDING ACCOUNTS. The secretary reported as follows: I regret that there ia a large list of accounts owing to the board on account of maintenance fees, and every spare moment my staff has is given to putting this part of the work on a more satisfactory footing, but the work is of such magnitude that it will take some- time before such a position is reached. I will report more fuly on this matter at a later date. However, I am quite satisfied that somo system of- making provision for bad and doubtful debts will have to be made. In looking carefully through the accounts and cash books I find certain fees are paid by the board for massage treatment to patients in the hospital. Making inquiries into the I question I find that no special charges aro made to the patients themselves for this treatment, so I have asked the medical superintendent to report to tho board on tho matter. Doubtless this will bo forthcoming in time for this meeting. GENERAL. The secretary of the New Plymouth Workers' Council v./ate that the Council ivas of the opinion that the motor amValance now stored at Mr. .Derby's garage should be stored ft the hospital to the greater convenience of everyone concerned, and that one of the assistants should be instructed as to driving. It was understood that the owner of the garage made a charge for storage, which could be saved and put to the upkeep of the ambulance. Another objection was that the fire brigade's motor driver had to be availed of, and should a firo take place at the same tin: as an accident the arrangement would prove very inconvenient.

The chairman said the present arrangement was considered the most convenient, as there was at present no one at the hospital who could drive the ambulance. Tt was decided to write to the Workers' Council to that effect

At a later stage the secretary asked whether he should draw up a schedule of charges for the use of the ambulance. Tho matter was referred to the finance committee for consideration.

The resignations of Misses M. Elliot, district nurse for the county of Egmont, M. Glontworth (sister at the New Plymouth (hospital). J. Clarke (second year nurse), and E. M. Francis (Hephone attendant at the hospital), were accepted with regret. The tender of Mr. McLaggan for the painting of the mortuary was accepted. Sister Ncilson. of Wairau hospital, was appointed .night sister in place of Sister Glentworth, resigned. An advisory board and farm committee, consisting of Messrs J Young, A. H. Halcombe, G. Capper, and J. Andrews, was set up to report on the running of the board's farm.

The following house and finance committee was set up: The chairman, Messrs Hill, Sykes, and the representatives of Waitara and Tnglewood.

A vote of thanks was accorded Mr. J. Young for tho gift/ of a milk cooler for the board's farm.

Accounts amounting to £998 fo were passed for payment.