TARANAKI HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 August 1921, Page 3

TARANAKI HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Taranaki Hospital Board was held at New Plymouth yesterday. Present: Messrs. M. Fraser (chairman), J. Sutherland, S. Capper, J. S. Youhg, M. O’Brien, A. H. Halcombe, S. Vickers, E. Gilmour, H. R. Cattley and J. Andrews. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. . The medical superintendent (Dr. E. A. Walker) reported for the month of July as follows : Patients admitted, 105 ; discharged, 93 ; died, 11; remaining in hospital, 103; highest number for one day, 121; daily average, 108.7; number of operations, 73. With the highest dally average (excepting the epidemic months) since October, 1918, July was a busy month in all departments. The number of operations (73) equalled May’s record. Twelve cases of scarlet fever and four of diphtheria were under treatment. MATRON’S REPORT. The matron (Miss B. A. Campbell) reported that the following went off duty on holiday leave: Sister Dew, Nurses Rea and Smart. The following had returned to duty: After holiday leave, Nurses Dew and Dullard; from sick leave, Sister Muir and Nurse Grant. Nurse Chapman left at the end of July. Nurse Merriman, having completed her three months’ term of probation, was now on the permanent staff. Misses Dickenson, Carroll and Nixon had commenced duties on probation since last report. Misses Adkins and Blennerhassett left hospital at the end o? last month, having decided to give up the Idea of nursing for the time being. DISPENSER'S REPORT. Mr. C. F. B. Perrin (dispenser and bouse steward) reported that Warder Price had returned to duty after sick leave. Night Porter Cameron was ordered to Trentham Military Hospital on the Ist Instant, the position being filled by Mr. S. H. Baechin. Owing to the Increased number of patients the supply of milk from tlie farm was inadequate, and It had been necessary to procure a further supply from an outside source. A number of eggs had been received from the farm. RANGIATEA HOME. The matron of Rangiatea Home (Mrs. Bayley) reported that everything had progressed very favorably during the month. The discipline had been excellent, with one exception. The supplies had been good. There were now in che home 32 persons (males, 25; females, 7). OPUNAKE DISTRICT REPORT. Nurse McFadgen (district nurse at Opunake) reported that during the month there had been a few slight cases of abdominal influenza. A mental case in the district had been sent to Porlrua. FARM REPORTS. Mr. J. Andrews (chairman of the farm committee) reported that the farm committee had visited tho home farm on August 8. The cows were all looking well. Another farm was under offer to the board, a matter which would be discussed at fhat meeting. The farm manager (Mr. W. C. Nobel) reported that for the month of July the 18 cows had produced 13,752 lbs of milk. For the period of the year everyUdng was progressing favorably. PROGRESS AT NURSES’ HOME. The board's architects (Messrs. Messenger, Griffiths and Taylor) reported that twelve men were now employed at the nurses’ home. The carpenters had been engaged in sundry details, and, with a few minor exceptions, would be finished this week. The plumbers would In another week complete all details that could be finished pending the installation of the steam apparatus. The electric stove was expected to come to hand any day. The tiler • had almost completed the work in tlie kitchen block. There were sufficient tiles on hand to enable the front entrance portico floor to be covered. The painters and plasterers were now engaged touching up the internal finishings, and sundry details. This work would be completed within the next fortnight. OPUNAKE COTTAGE HOSPITAL.Tlie Minister of Justice (Hon. W. Downie Stewart) wrote noting the board's representations applying for permission to enter into possession of certain land dedicated as a site for the cottage hospital in Opunake. The matter would be looked into, and he would write the board further. MEMBERS’ TRAVELLING EXPENSES. The secretary of the Hawera Hospital Board wrote in regard to the matter of travelling allowance for members of hospital boards. It long been realised that 'the amount allowed under the 1909 Act (Is per mile, counted one way) was quite inadequate. An amendment had been made in 1920 and gazetted on April 27 last, but members of his board were far from satisfied with the amount allowed. The item objected to was found in section (b) of the gazetted regulations, which prescribed that where no public conveyance was available tho expense attaching to a member’s own use for a horse or vehicle may be refunded at a rate not exceeding Sd per mile counted both ways. Such regulations were open-to glaring anomalies. Members who travelled by motor car received Sd per mile, whilst the minimum cost of motor travelling was Is per mile. The distance travelled by some of the members of the board was as great as 35 miles. Members of hospital boards, he pointed out, gave their time gratis, and often at great sacrifice to themselves. He wauled to know the opinion of the Taranaki Board on the matter, and whether they were prepared to co-operate in making representations to the GovernorGeneral through the proper channel.—Members endorsed the remarks contained in the circular, and tho board resolved to support the Hawera Hoard's representations. GENERAL. The clerk of the Egmont Gounly Council intimated that his council had. at. its last meeting, accorded the board a vote of thanks for their intention to call for tenders for the. erection of a cottage hospital at Opunake.— Received. The Department of Public Health advised that facilities for the treatment of civilian patients suffering from neurasthenia, psychasthenia, etc., were now provided at the special military hospital at Hamner.—The letter will be sent to tho medical superintendent for his information. Aeounts amoimtinff to is s 3d were passed for payment.