TARANAKI HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 January 1921, Page 7

TARANAKI HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The Taranaki Hospital Board met yesterday. Present: Messrs. M. Fraser (chairman), J. Young, J. Andrews, M. O’Brien, A. H. Halcombe, J. A. Young, and 8. Vickers. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs. F. J. Hill and E. R. Gilmour. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. The report of the medical superintendent (Dr. E. A. Walker) stated that during December 69 patients were admitted, 79 discharged and 6 died. The highest number c£ inmates on any one day was 94, and the daily average was 84.4. Thirty-eight operations were performed. The superintendent remarked that December was a lighter month than the preceding one. The isolation block remained open with cases of diphtheria, scarlet fever, and measles. The acting matron of the Rangiatea Home, Sister Adams, reported that there had been one admittance during the month, and the number of inmates now totalled 39. FARM REPORT. The farm manager (Mr. W. C. Noble) reported:—'For the month ending December 31 the dairy herd has produced 16,1601'bs of milk. Work had progressed satisfactorily excepting the germination of turnip crops There is a prospect that there will be a great deal more fodder than expected for the winter. DISTRICT NURSING. Nurse MeFadgen (Opunake), reported that thirteen cases had been dealt with, fees received on behalf of the board £ll 3.

NURSE’S HOME. The architects (Messrs. Messenger, Griffiths and Taylor) reported on the progress of operations at the nurses’ home. The average of workmen employed during the month was eleven. The period under review had been a very broken one on account of the Christmas and New Year holidays when work was suspended on seven .working days, and some of the tradesmen had not yet put in an appearance this year. LIMITING EXPENDITURE. The Director-General of Health wrote pointing out that Boards should not commit themselves to any capital expenditure unless they could see their way clear to obtain the necessary funds to meet such expenditure The raising of loan moneys was at present a difficult undertaking, and it was understood that the Public Trustee was for the time being, fully committed, and therefore it cannot be taken as a certainty that funds could be obtained from that office. GENERAL.

The Otago Hospital Board wrote asking for .support in a protest to the Department against the proposal of the Department in connection "with the training of women to carry out* the State dental scheme. The training, which would be for a period of two years against a minimum of three years for nurses, with larger remuneration upon completion, was likely, in the opinion of the Otago Board, to Boards in maintaining their nursing service.—lt was decided that the letter lie on the table. _ ~ The names of Misses C. F. Mcßae (Lepperton), and M. A. Condon (Kaupokonui) were added to the list of waiting probationers.