HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 October 1918, Page 2

HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING, ! The monthly meeting of tlie Taranaki' Hospital and Cliaritable Aid Board was held yesterday. There were, present: Messrs M. Eraser (chairman), J. Andrews, R. Morgan, C. Andrews, E. W. McNeill, J. Young, 0, Capper, and A. E. Sykes. Apologies for absence were- received from Messrs, F. J. Hill and A. 11. Halcombe. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT. The medical superintendent (Dr E. A. Walker) reported, the number of patients admitted during the monUli was 110, discharged 95, died 5, remaining iu hospital 117; highest number for any one day, 117, daily average 109, number of operations 50. The month had been characterised by steady work, the main building being constantly up to complement. There had been a further satisfactory reduction in the diphttoeria cases. Sixteen, soldiers had been treated as inpatients and IS as out-patients. MATRON'S REPORT. The matron (Miss B. A. Campbell) reported that Nurses Siddens, Mitchell, Husking, Payni/ef, and Stainton had gone off duty, and the following liad returned to duty: Nurses Longlands, Mills, Mitchell, and Dew. Nurse Hudson was on sick leave. HOUSE STEWARD'S REPORT. The liouse steward and dispenser (Mr J l . C. B. Perrin) reported on the various matters that had engaged his attention in connection with the hospital during tlie month. RANGIATEA HOME. Tho matron (Mrs Bayley) reported a satisfactory month. There had been one admission and one dfath, and there were remaining in the homo 45 inmates (37 males and 8 females). HEALTH INSPECTOR'S REPORT. fiio health inspector (Mr A. 11. Kendall) reported 19 eases of infectious diseases wring the month in the following districts: Taranaki Comity, 2 of diphtheria; New Plymouth, G of diphtheria and one of enteric; Inglewood, 3 of diphtheria; Egmont County, 5 diphtheria; Clifton County, 2 diphtheria. Owing to the satisfactory falling off in tfoo number of diphtheria cases, a good deal of inspection of food and food premises had been done during tho month, in addition to compliance with instruction from the Public Health Department in several other matters.

FARM MANAGER'S REPORT. Tho farm manager (Mr. W. C Noble) reported he had now got plenty of grass. The 10 cows had produced 11,541 lbs of milk. A total of CI dozen eggs toad been sent to the hospital. Mr J. Andrews, chairman of tho farm committee, also reported on his visitation and inspection of the farm, and made certain recommendations. DISTRICT NURSE'S REPORT. District Nurse Quinn, Urnli, reported attending 10 cases during the pitsx month. CORRESPONDENCE. The Acting Inspector-General of Hospitals (Dr. P. Frengley) wrote to tlie effect that the Minister of Public Health was prepared to assist in securing ambulances for the various hospital boards in t/he Dominion, from the Defence Department, after the war, and that on receipt of the information furnishing the requirements of the various hoards he would communicate with the authorities, instruetuig them to take action in the matter.

A letter wa3 also received from Dr Frengley on the question cf the Department securing supplies of drugs for the (hospital and asked for particulars as to tlie prices paid by the Board, the brands and makes, quantities used in the past twelve months, and estimates for the next twelve months.

Tho secretary of the Uruti Nursing Association wrote enclosing the quarterly donation towards the nurses' salary and asked the Board to take steps to secure a successor to Nurse Quinn. A subsequent letter expressed high appreciation of the services of Nurse Quinn and regret at receiving her resignation. GENERAL. Constance Ona Ennis, Inglewood, applied to bo placed on the list of probationer nurses at tho hospital, and the application was granted. Tlie following amounts were passed for payment: Accounts £907 Os 9d, payments £734 Gs.

The Board then went into committee to consider matters relating to the loan for the new nurses' home.