HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 December 1918, Page 2

HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETO, '''■ The monthly meeting of the Taranaki Hospital Board was held yesterday. There were present: Messrs M- Fraser (chairman), A. E. Sykes, G. Capper, J. Young, A. XI. -Halcombe, O. Andrews, R, Morgan, F. J. liiU, and J. Andrews. MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENTS REPORT. The medical superintendent (Dr E. A. Walker) reported the number of patients admitted during November was 422, and those discharged IF9; 89 had died (81 from influenza and 8 from other causes). Those remaining numbered 213 (193 in hospital, 20 in native hospital, 45 in Kawaroa and East End Convalescent I i Homes.) The highest number on any | one day was 230. The mumber ol operations was 9. During the month the ordinary work of the hospital had been reduced to S minimum, on account of. the outbreak of pandemic influenza, regarding which he had made a separate report- The whole hospital resources had been through a period of extreme ttfcision, but thanks to generous help from the Citizens' Committee, and a fine band of voluntary workers and the rapid proi vision of extra accommodation the posi- i tion had always been fully met and the needful treatment accorded to every requirement of the unfortunate sufferers. MATRONS REPORT. The matron (Miss Campbell) reported she was experiencing great difficulty in getting assistance in the kitchen. The maids complained • that the work was much too heavy. During the month the greatest difficulty had been experienced in ocping with the washing and laundry, and much outside help had to be obtained. The need for an up-to-date laundry plant wag very urgent. HEALTH INSPECTOR'S REPORT. Mr A. Hi Kendall (health inspector) reported that apart from the infli uza cases, the only cases of infectious disease had been a few cases of measles, which had been promptly dealt with. Ha suggested that the Borough Council ba thanked for the assistance kindly and willingly given by Inspector Day during the late epidemic, while the great 6 assistance so gratefully received and willingly given by numbers of persons 9.11 over the hospital district, and particularly in New Plymouth, was of inestimable value during the worst phases. At the inhalation rooms the help given, rendered every facility for a thorough test to be made by the publio as to the value of the treatment. In the genc*al desire and increasing labors of the general public and the work done by them to cope with the terrible visitation it i 3 superfluous to say anything of one's own part in the matter, therefore he could iiot report better than by stating that all public auxiliary hospitals had been evacuated over the whole district as far south as Pungarehu, and there was no doubt that during their contint&nce great numbers of lives were saved to the country by the prompt action taken at the instigation of the Minister of Public Health, by his Worship the Mayor of New Plymouth, the Hospital Board, and 700. In some country cases, possibly too much stress was placed on the condition of certain premises visited by certain emissaries not having due regard to the helpless condition of the people concerned, owing to the extraordinary circumstances of general sickness and overwork, and all that these causes mean and cover. FARM REPORTS. The chairman of the farm Committee (Mr J. Andrews) reported satisfactory progress at the farm. Crops appeared to be doing well, so that the cows would oe well provided for during next winter. In spite of heavy demands on the farm for milk during the past few weeks, the manager had been able to cope with it, with the exception 1 of about 200 or 300 pounds, which he had to purchase from outside sources during the height of the epidemic. The way things had been kept going considering the unfavorable season was highly creditable to the manager and staff. The manager (Mr W. O. Noble)' reported that the hay and ensilage crops had turned out much 'better than was expected, and there was therefore good prospects of an abundance of feed for the next winter.

KANGIATEA HOME. The matron (Mrs Bayly) reported that everything had progressed satisfactorily during the month. The number of inmates in the Homo was 43 (males 35, females 8). URiUTI DISTRICT NURSE. Miss Quran, foijnerly district nurse at Uruti wrote acknowledging the . Board's letter and stating that it was gratifying to kuow that his services had been appreciated. She had tried to do her duty, and added, that perhaps after more hospital experience she , would again take a district under the .Board, Miss Quinn reported having: attended 13 cases at Uruti and one maternity case at Ngatimaru. EPIDEMIO OEXPPENSES. . A circular was receited from the Public Health Department summarising the steps to be taken in forwarding claims in connection with the influenza epidemic. In cases where temporary hospitals were necessary and the Board exercised supervision over the same, the cow would be borne by the Department. In cfises where the Board considered the establishment of the institution; run!warranted, and they were opened without consultation with the. Board, the latter should not undertake any expenditure in connection therewith) : :J>ut should refer the claims to the Department with a memorandum upon 'the same; In Tegard to supplies of a'liioriconsumable nature, such as bedsteads, and bedding, these should be thpr'bughIv disinfected, after any that ilmd been atained or' soiled bad been destroyed. The Board should take over such: thereof as might be needed in case of ah emergency, and the Board should deduct from the total claim the value of two-thirds of the cost of the articles so taken over. Patients at influenza hospitals should pay for their treatment if able to do eo. The Board should under, take no expenditure incurred by relief committees after their need for exist : encfc ceased, and should exercise strict* supervision over the expenditure of committees, especially as regards advertisements and motor cars. All payments in' connection with emergency hospitals must be certified to by the officers in charge, and payments in connection -with relief committees by the chairman of such committees. The Government's responsibility was for medical treatment, transit to and from hospitals, medical attendance, nursing, medicines, cquip- ' nest of hospitals, food in hospitals, ana

maintenance. Charity, 111 the form of food, etc., was a charge on the Board, and must be met from the ordinary funds and voluntary contributions. In cases where the block system had foeen instituted in a district the claims must be passed through the central committee and bu certified. Regarding expenditure by mayors, borough councils and county councils, these should be dealt with on the same lines as set forth in reference to Telief commits. The Department would repay to the Board any expenditure incurred in direct connection with the epidemic, but such expenditure must not include any which in the ordinary course would be incurred by the local body as part of its sanitary operations. The use of inhalation apparatus would be bome by the Department, provided they were collected by the Board, and the Department notified of the number so collected. They would then be available for distribution to whatever part of the district might quire tliem in the case of any future emergency or in connection with the question that was being considered, as to schools being supplied with such apparatus. In the first rush of the epidemic doubtless expenditure was undertaken without the Board's sanction. This would require to be met and the Minister looked to the, boards to thoroughly scrutinise ail accounts presented, and to protect the Department from frivolous or unwarranted claims. In reimbursing the Board for expenditure in connection with the epidemic, all voluntary contributions, gifts and proceeds from the sale of articles donated should bo deducted from the claims and the net amount only rendered to the Department. '

The matter of considering all aejounts in connection with the epidemic was referred to the Finance Committee, with the addition of Mr J. Young, it being recommended that urgent accounts for wages, etc., for work done for committees, be paid immediately. GIFTS FOR CHRISTMASMessrs John Burns and Co., Auckland, wrote to the effect that just before the signing of the armistice, they had got together some 50 cakes to send to the boys at the front. Conditions had so altered that they questioned whether, in the bustle of demobilisation in France, the cakes would reach their destination, and bo they had decided to donate them to some local institution. They suggested that they might send 10 to New Plymouth Hospital a little before Christmas, or if the Board had anv institution specially devoted to soldiers, it might be better to send them there. The chairman intimated that the cakes had arrived and been sent to the hospital. A resolution of thanks was passed to the donors. • GENERAL. The names of Misses S. J. McEldowney (Puniho), (Hazel M. Wolfe (Awakino), and M. Winfield (Inglewood). were placed on the list of probationer nurses. The Uruti Health Committee wrote drawing attention to the need of installing a hot water service in the Uruti cottage hospital—lt was db'.cded to allow the matter to stand in abeyance until such time as a new nurse was appointed.

Consideration of a letter from the Public Health Department, with reference to the care of maternity cases was deferred till next meeting. It was decided to take no action in reference to the request through the Waihi Borough Council to urge the Government to have all race meetings at Christmas and New Year postponed, owing to the danger of infectionThe Board also declined to take any action in response to the Alexandra Borough Council, in their demand that the Public Health Department should take over the care and control of all cases of incurable patients.