HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 August 1918, Page 7

HOSPITAL BOARD.

. MONTHLY MEETING, The ordinary meeting of Hie Taranalci Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was licld yesterday, when there were present: Messrs M. Fraser (chairman), J. Andrews, K. Morgan, C. Andrews, E. W. J. McNeill and ,T. Young. Leave of absence was granted to Messrs A. E. Sykes, E. J Hill/O. Capper and A. 11. Halcombe. Later Mr Fraser retired, and Mr 11. Morgan was voted io the chair.

THE HOSPITAL. The Medical Superintendent (Br A. K Walker) reported that during the month of July 132 patients had been admittcd, 100 discharged and six had died. There now remained in hospital 123 patients. The highest number for one day was 125, the daily average being llLo.'• The number of operations was 63. Compared to July, loir, th ere were f'7 admissions, 71 discharged, SI remaining anil 70:7 average; the nursing stall m 1017 was 42 and in ]<)18 44. Durina July the admissions, the daily average of patients and the highest number for one day constituted records in the work of the institution. ' With six of the stall off duty through sickness or holiday leave the month had been one of the heaviest. The staff had responded well and met all requirements. The diptheria ward had been fully occupied through the month and one case of scarlet fever was admitted. Col. Christie usited the hospital on July mh. The matron (Miss Campbell) reported (hat Nurses. Peers, Paget and Salway were on holiday leave, and Nurses Taylor, Lambert and Peers had returned to duty after their holidays. Nurses Hall, Lansley, Hudson and Dew were on sick leave. Nurse Southam was returning .or a few weeks. Nurses Smart and .imith had commenced duties a 9 probationers. Sister Gill had resigned her position as sub-matron and left at the I end of the month.

C. F. B. Perrin, dispenser and house steward, reported that the past month had been exceptionally busy on account of the increased number of patients. 1. he milk supply was short, but, thanks to the- farm manager, very little inconvenience was caused. Owing to the extension of diptheria isolation, it had been necessary to provide sleeping accommodation for two warders at Andrew's cottage. He acknowledged receipt of six cwt of parsnips and two dozen leeks trom the 'Prisons Department, and a quantity of cauliflower and caoba«e from A. Potter. He ]lad received "a quantity of eggs from the farm manager. He referred to various details that required attention.

RANGIATEA HOME. Mrs Bayly, Matron of Eangiatea Home, reported that everytmng had been progressing favorably. Supplies weie very good and discipline excellent. A here were three admissions, one death, and there now remained in the home 41 males and 7 females. She suggested that attention be given to the lighting ot the staff rooms, which were at preset only supplied with canates. The question of lighting was referred i-o the Homo Committee. Mr C Andrews referred to the sendug of chrome cases to the Old People's Home, instancing the case of an old man who had been sent from Hawera practically dying and had died three «ays later He considered this should l» popped. The Home was „ ow practical y full and the time had come when t should be, reserved for the people from their own district. P

The secretary stated that the man uLr i T\ h} ' the Httwera Hospital ,»oard without any notification betas given to the New Plymouth Board Mr Andrews considered some provision hould be made tor medical examination piior to admission.

Mr Young thought the matron should be instructed not to admit anyone unless authorised by the chairman or solidary.

In the course of further discussion, 't was stated that a homo for incurables would have to be provided, the original intention having been that this buiklin" should bo utilised for that purpose Mr Young moved that no person be admitted to the Old People's Homo with<nut the authority of the chairman or secretary of the Board.

Mr J. Andrews seconded the resolution, which was carried.

Mr Young suggested that a resolution should be passed declining to take any person into the home from outside districts.

The secretary stated that he had already had to refuse two applications for ■• amission owing to lack of room

THE FARM. W. E. Noble, Farm Manager, reported that everything was progressing favorably. He had passed through the most trying period of the year and now felt safe, although he would need to be very careful to get through with the feed on hand. The cows were all in good fettle, and 14- had returned 0252 lbs of milk, although greatly beW the inquired quantity. The poultry were only in their early stages, having been kept in temporary quarters. He sent eight dozen eggs to the hospital and had sent out two heavy weight pigs. He had started to get ground ready for cropping. He had received no tidings (if taking over the property whicn snould have been taken over on August Ist, nor had he received any of the oaten lay.

GENERAL. District Nurses Quin (Units) and Holdsworth (Opunake) forwarded their monthly reports. The Borough Council notified that the charge for water to the Hospital be £125 per annum for a consumption not exceeding 3J million gallons and Is per 100 gallons for any 'amount above that.

The Health Department notified that it had been decided to eStend ih& tree treatment of soldiers' wives and children to that of the parents, sisters or brothers of soldiers on active s-ervice outside New Zealand, if such parent, sisters or brothers were dependent iipon soldier prior to enlistment. The secretary stated Hint he had written the Department in connection wtth the care of a soldier's widow; whom he 'onsidered should have equal consideratirm to a, soldier's wife. The circular did not include widows:

The Health Department notified that it was desirous that some uniformity should be observed in connection' with the allowances to old age pensioners m charitable and that it was the Minister's opinion that not less than 2s per week should be allowed out ,of the adaitional fis granted.. bjs^JßSiri^.

nient in addition to any allowance of tobacco and. clothing. It was stated that the. board.treated! their inmates es generously as* any in