HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 September 1918, Page 7

HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held yesterday. There were present: Messrs M. Eraser (chapman), A. JO, Sykes, G. Capper, J. Young. 0. Andrews. K. Morgan, 1-'. J. Hill and J. Andrews! Apologies for absence were received from Messrs A. H. Haleombe, and E. W. McNeill. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT. The medical superintendent (Dr B. A. Walker) reported the month had been a heavy one, especially o:i the surgical i 'side, owing to the large v. umber of scri,oii3 cases. The daily average of patients (118) surpassed all previous records by 7. There had been a diminution in the number of diphtheria eases. Sixteen soldiers had been treated as in-patients, while 17 were received as out-patients. The patients admitted were 117, discharged 133, deaths 8, still in hospital 00, highest for any day 127, daily average 118.1, number of operations 1)3. MATRON'S REPORT. The matron (Miss B. A. Campbell) reported that Nurses Langlanda and Mills had gone on holiday leave and Nurses Paget and Salway had returned from holidays. Nurses Hall, Lansley and Hudson returned from sick leave, and Nurses Stanton, Siddins and Smith were oil' on sick leave. Sister Gill left on 1 isgußt 31 and Miss J. Menon commences :y as a probationer on September 19. iug to temporary shortage of staff, -Mirse Potts was doing emergency duty* Special attention was drawn to the unsatisfactory state of the kitchen, as regards strict cleanliness. Most'of the kitchens visited by the matron during her holiday were tiled, and she believed that was the only satisfactory way of securing the desired result. HOUSE STEWARD'S REPORT. The house steward and dispenser (Mr C. F. B. Perrin) reported on various matters that had occupied his attention during the month, and made certain recommendations for the better care of the hospital. RANGIATEA HOME. The matron (Mrs A. Bayly) reported everything was progressing favorably at the home. The admissions for the month had been 3, departures 5, leaving 44 inmates still in the institution. FARM REPORTS. The chairman of the farm committee '(Mr J. Andrews) reported that he had interviewed the manager during the month regarding the lease of Mr McGiven's land for the purpose of getting an ensilage crop, and as he was of opinion lie could get the crop off in the time he advised him to proceed with tjie work. He also arranged with Mrs Sole for the rent of a paddock. Negotiations had also been opened with Mr Billing re the renting of his paddock at the bad; of Mrs Francis' place. Amongst other matters discussed with the manager was the erection of a silo for making ensilage and as the farm would have to depend on that fodder for maintaining the winter supply of milk, he urged that no time should be lost in preparing for the coming season. He recommended the utilisation of one of the old cottages in Barrett street for that purpose.

It was decided to endorse the recommendation of the report. The farm manager (Mr W. C. Noble) reported the dairy herd had produced 12,59-llbs of milk, which was sufficient for requirements. He hoped he would never again be so hard pressed for feed, lie had sent 3fiJ dozen eggs to the hospital and 0 fat fowls. Work in connection with the sowing of root crops for the coming season was getting well for-

warn. HEALTH INSPECTOR'S REPORT.

The health inspector (Mr A. IT. Kendall) reported 33 cases of infectious disease during the month, being one of scarlet fever and 11 of diphtheria in the Taranaki Comity, 11 of diphtheria, 2 of enteric fever, and 2 of tuberculosis in New Plymouth, 2 of diphtheria in Kgmont County and 4 of diphtheria in the Clifton County. Inspection of premises where the diseases occurred had been made and all the necessary precautions taken. Several schools and other places of public assembly had been cleansed during the month. DISTRICT NURSES' REPORTS. District Nurse Qninn (Uruti) reported attended during the month 14 cases, of which 2 were maternity cases. District Nurse Holdsworth (Opunake) reported attending 10 European cases and 5 native cases, of which 2 were maternity cases. GENERAL. The Actiiig-Inspector-General of Hospitals (Dr J. (P. Frengley) wrote to the oU'ect that he would be in New Plymouth on September 25th to confer on the matter of the proposed buildings to be erected (for nurses' home, dental clinic, and board's offices) by the board, ft was resolved to hold a special meeting of the board on that date. Tlie Public Health Department wrote to the' effect that llio Superintendent of lli<» National Provident Fund had written them as follows: —Under section 10 of the National Provident Act, the National Provident Fund Board may grant allowances to contributors in incapacity. The payments are authorised on medical certificates sent in by the incapacitated contributors, but the continuance- of the payments demands that some independent examination shall be made at such times as the National Provident Fund Board thinks fit. i should be glad to know, for the information of the board, if some arrangements could be made whereby the hospitals throughout the Dominion could be made centres where contributors may, if remired, present themselves for oxnmlnaion, the medical officers of the institu- : i>ns furnishing a formal certificate on iiniid forms provided for the purpose, - io the condition of the contributor. The writer of the letter (Dr. J. P. Freing- '?)') stated that the question as to whether medical superintendents of hospitals ftiould undertake this work was one within tho jurisdiction of hospital boards, and was asked whether his board v.siild be prepared to make a payment *'" 10s Od for each examination. The ■'iij.erintcndfent advises that the National Provident Fund Board is willing to make this payment. "I shall be glad to know, therefore," ho says, "whether your board is agreeable to allow these examinations to be undertaken by your : medieal superintendent or other medical officers of your staff." It was decided to place tho letter in the hands of Dr. Walker. i The Defence Department wrote that in view of so many vliimed soldiers requiring massage tirn!'.i<rr.t, the Department was prepared to movide and pay the salaries of ajiy additional mwsensjs, gaat Ijor service in the vari-

ous hospitals, on the understanding that the boards concerned will make, the necessary arrangements for their board, lodging and laundry. It was decided to reply that if Uie masseuses sent would undertake to do the board's ordinary massage work, provision would be made for their maintenance.

Sarah Solo wrote asking that, owing to the large increase in rates, the hoard would pay increased rent for the six acres of land leased from her. —The matter was referred to the farm committee.

A. C. Clarke, boiler attendant at the hospital, wrote stating that ho had been classed CI and ordered to camp on October 23.—1t was decided to grant him three months leave of absence, and to fill the position temporarily. Miss Adelaide M. Kerrison was placed on the list of probationer nurses. Accounts were passed as follows: Payments £O6O Cs Od, accounts £902 4s M. The board then went into committee.