TARANAKI HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 June 1920, Page 2

TARANAKI HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary meeting of the Taranakl Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held at the Board's office yesterday, when there were present: Messrs. M. Fraser (chairman), J. Andrews, F. J. Hill, B. K. C. GUmour, C. Andrews, S. Campbell, 0. Capper, G. Young, and A. H. Haleombe. An apology was received for the absence of Mr. J. Young. MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENTS REPORT. Dr. E. A. Walker (medical superintendent) reported that during May 124 patients had been admitted, 94 discharged, and eight had died. There now remained In the hospital 10(1 patients. The highest number for one day was 120, the dally average being 103.1. There had been 52 operations. With the highest number of admissions and the highest, dally average since thd time of the epidemic, May had proved a busy month in all departments. The staff responded well to all calls made upon them. The Upper isolation block was open with four cases of searletlna In addition to three cases in the diptherla ward. Nurses Dew, Cartwrlght, Peers, Salwajv and Wilson had duly passed the examinations in medical and surgical nursing for the hospital certificate. MATRON'S REPORT. Miss B. A. Campbell, matron at the hospital,' reported that Nurses Grooby, Hudson, Lansley, and Grettbatch had been absent on holiday, leave. Nurses Smart and Corklll on sick leave and Nurses Paynter and Grooby had returned from holiday leave and Nurse Moore from alck leave. Nurse Graham had completed her three years" terra of "probation, and was now on the permanent stall. Misses Bullard, Deft, Rea, and Harrison had commenced their three months turn of training In probation. Nurses Farley, Greatbatch, Langley,, and Hudson had severed their connection with the hospital oh the 11th Inst Nurses Hudson, Mitchell, Hosklng, Smith, Fairbrother, and Merron had all been successful in passing the examination in Invalid cookery held at the Technical School In May. The State examinations were held on June 9th and 10th, ten candidates sitting, five of whom csme from Hawera, Nelson, and Stratford. RANGIATEA HOME. Mrs. Bayly reported that the Institution had been progressing very favorably during the past month. The supplies had been good and discipline excellent. There had been one admission and there were now remaining in the home 35 males and 8 females. DISTRICT NURSE'S REPORTS. District Nurse. Feun, Urutl, reported that six patients had called during the month, and there w«s one patient at the cottage. District Nurse McFadgen (Opunake) reported that oho European had been attended at the cottage, and 21 In their own homes. Six Maoris had also attended. There had been one maternity case Influenza had been bnrt in the surrounding district, and two cases of diphtheria had been removed to the hospital from Oaonul. THE NURSES' HOME. Messrs. Messenger and Griffiths reported that satisfactory progress had been maintained during the month in connection with the ejection of the Nurses' Home. HOUSE STEWARD'S REPORT. Mr. C. F. B. Perrln, dispenser and house steward, reported that owing to the shortage of coke It had been necessary to close down tho radiator fires. This was causing frequent complaints from patients. Reference was made by members to the amount of coke and coal used, and the cost of fuel and lighting. It was also stated that tho Gas Company had curtailed its suoply to other Institutions and was giving the hospital all the coke available.

The chalnmah said that tho heating had always been an eyesore, and that was why they had proposed to launch out Into i. new system. Until such time ns they could ihstal the new system it was difficult to see how the position would be Improved. It was decided that the Board would look into the matter when they visited the hospital that afternoon. FARM MANAGER'S RKPORT. Air. VY. C. Noble, farm manager, reported that the dairy herd produced 13,413 lbs of milk, which compared favorably with last year's returns. Yet the hospital were asking for 100 lbs a day more. He could not carry any more stock on the farm, ond could not buy dairy cows under £3O t6 £SO Ho hadmannged to buy a few gallons to tide over. Mr. W. Froeth had also lent a couple of cows that It was hoped would keep up the supply until the end of the month, by which time hj» was expecting four of the cows to come to profit. Two young pigs had been sold at £3 3s each.

THE HOSPITAL LEVY. The Department of Public Health forwarded copy of a letter received from the Egmont County Council protesting ajralust the everthereasi.DK levy made by the Board. A brief report was given of tho conference held with local bodies In connection with the Increased levy. The chairman said that the delegates had come la a very friendly spirit and asked for an explanation of the Increased levy, which they give as fully as possible, and the delegates appeared to be satisfied that the Board was doing as well as possible. THE HOSPITAL BOARD'S CONFERENCE. The secretary gave a very comprehensive report of the recent conference. The chairman said that it had been unanimously agreed that the conference had justified itself. It would relieve many burdens If the recommendations were carried into effecf. It was very complimentary to the Board that five of the remits they brought forward had been adopted by the Department before the conference. On the motion of Messrs. 0. Young and E. Campbell, the action of the delegates was confirmed. RESIGNATIONS. Dr. D. S. Wylle wrote resigning his position as assistant surgeon to the Taranakl Hns•pital as he had now been appointed Inspector of Hospitals under tho Health Department. He expressed his regret at giving up work that was always a pleasure, and expressed his appreciation of their kindness in keeping open the position during his absence from New Zealand with the Expedltonary Force. . Notification was received that the Minister of Public Health approved of the appointment of Dr. Home to the position. On the motion of Messrs. Oilmour and the chnilrman, It was resolved to record the Board's high appreciation of the manner In which Dr. Fookes had carried out the duties during Dr. Wyiie's absence. Reference was made to the manner In which Dr Pookes had carried out the duties during the absence of the military superintendent.

Mr. F. Walden Hall wrote resigning his position as working assistant In the X-Ray Department of the hospital owing to leaving New Plymouth.

The chairman said that Mr. Hall was a specialist at the work and could always bo relied on in the absence of Dr. Leatham The Board would now have to take some steps to appoint an assistant.

On the motoln of the chairman and Mr Hill It was resolved to pass a vote of appreciation of Mr. Hall's sorvlces and to wish him success in his new home.

Nurses Greathbatch and Langley wrote resigning their positions owing to have accepted appointments at Suva, whilst Nurse Hudson resigned owing to having to remove to Ceylon and Nurse Mac Donald on account of removal to England. The resignations were all accepted with regret.

RAISING THE PEES. Mr. 0. Tonne moved in accordance with nqtice of motion that the hospital fees be increased. In doing so he pointed out that a statement had been submitted showing that last yeir each patient hnd cost Os 5d per dny Things were by no means on the down grade and in Justice to the hospital and to the' ratepayers who had sent them there he thought they should raise the rates to 10a per day. It was a good increase to rise the levy from Is B%d to 2s 9d. ' The Board did not wish to be hard on anyone, and would not tale steps to enforce payment for those who could not afford It, but those In a position to do So should willingly pay 10s per dny, which was by no means exorbitant. The Board should Insist on those In a position to pay doing so. . Mr. S. Campbell, in seconding the motion, considered that It should have been brought up sir months sooner He pointed out that the Hawera levy was only Is fid. The secretary said that with the same valuation, this hospital could be run on a levy of Bd. Mr. Capper considered that the Amusement Tax should be paid to the hospital boards. In some of the towns the same families went to the pictures every night. Mr. (iilmour moved, as an amendment, that. the fee be 9s Od per day. The Board did not want to make any money out of ths patients nn-1 did not wish any ratepayer to think that the Board desired to make a proflt out of any one. The chairman said that the question of fees caused considerable discussion at the conference. Some Boards desired the fees to be £2 2s per week, on the ground that with a low fee more people would pay. He favored 9s Cd. Aft*r further discussion, Mr. 0. Yning -■jrsjd to alter nil molutlonto ill 64 n>>

day, and this was carried. Mr. C. Andrews asking that his vole be recorded against It on the ground that It should have been, increased to at least 10s. The questions of fees to be charged (or children and members of Friendly Societies, was referred to the Finance and House Committee. GENERAL. The secretary of the Egmont Nursing Association submitted revised scale of charge!). —Approved. Miss Muriel King, of Aria, Te Kultl, was added to the list of probationers. The. Inspector-General of Hospitals wrote that a number of well-trained massours were now becoming available tor employment ill civil hospitals owing to the smaller demands made on their services by the military hospitals, and advising boards desiring to obtain the services (either whole or part time) of a masseur to communciate with tiw Matron-in-Clilef, N.Z.A.N.8., Wellington. Dr. Walker recommended the appointment of a "part-time" masseur, as the work 1 had been lessening recently. . ■ ~ During a brief discussion, it was stated that ohassage treatment last year cost the Board upwards of £3OO, but that a considerable portion of this was accounted for by the treatment of soldier patients. The recommendation was agreed to, the salary to be £l3O per annum. The Westland Hospital and Charltiblo A|d Board asked the Board to assist In getting the recommendations passed at the recast hospital conference adopted by Parliament this coming session by stressing to the member of Parliament, the urgency of the matter. The Boird resolved to support the resolution.

Dr. T. H. A. Vallntine, Inspector-General of Hospitals, notified that he had received.a memorandum from the Director-General "ii-t Medical Service* stating that for June 1, ID2C the Defence Department would pay Hospital Boards' maintenance fees for soldiers at '.he Bame rate charged other patients by the boards. This he considered a reasonable one which would find favor with the Board. Pull maintenance fees will not be pnU in connection with soldiers treated in those hospitals where part of the medical or nursing staff was paid by the Defence Department.. The opinion was expressed that In fainess to Hospital Boards, the payment should have been made retrospective.