TARANAKI HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 January 1922, Page 6

TARANAKI HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The Taranaki Hospital Board met yesterday. Present: Messrs. M. Fraser (chairman). J. R. Sutherland, J. Andrew’s, E. R. Gilmour, Jas. Young, H. R. Cattley, and S. Vickers. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs. A. H. Halcombe, G. Capper and M. O'Brien. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. The medical superintendent's report for December stated that 91 patients were admitted during the month, 9G were discharged, and 6 died. The number in hospital at the end of the month was 90. The highest number o-f patients in one day was 103, and the daily average was 92.8. Forty-four operations were performed. The report remarked that December was a lighter month than the five preceding. The isolation block is still open, there being at present seven cases of diphtheria and eight of scarlet fever under treatment. During 1921 641 operations were performed, an advance of 33 over the preI vious record in 1-918, and there were 8 deaths from all causes, a small mortality. STAFF MATTERS. The matron reported that the following went off duty on holiday leave: Nurses Merron December 21, Fairbrother January 4, and Collins 17th inst.; on sick leave, Sister Tysol; returned to duty after holiday leave, Nurses Kilbride, Merron and Berry. Sister StanI ton was leaving the hospital on 23rd ■ inst. to take the position of theatre I sister at Gisborne hospital. Sister Macdonald, at present night sister, would take theatre duties, Sister Crookston taking night sister’s duties. Sister Hosking and Nurse Grooby severed their connection with the hospital on January 13 and 10 respectively. Nurse Graham had been granted a month’s special leave. Miss Mulligan commenced *<101163 as probationer on December 30. A COMPLAINT INVESTIGATED. The recent protest from the Watersiders’ Union regarding the delay in the dispatch of the ambulance to the wharf when an accident had occurred > was the subject of a reply from the < medical superintendent (Dr. E. A. Walker) who wrote: It is not necessary for the authority of a medical man to-be given before the ambulance is sent out. It is sent out i when the hospital authorities are satisi fled, that it is required. When a rci quest is made from a layman for the ' ambulance the matron, or in her absence. • the assistant matron, inquires as to the nature of the case, and the ambu- | lence is sent at once if the case rei quires it. In regard to the case of Mr. Lowry, the assistant matron took the message at the telephone. She was asked to send the ambulance to the breakwater as there had been an accident. She asked, quite properly, if the man had been badly hurt. The answer came back, “I do not think he is hurt at all but we wish him examined by a doctor.” To this she replied that a d>ctor had better be procured, and if necessary the ambulance could be sent later. Dr. Wade subsequently saw the injured man, and at his request the ambulance was at once sent. The reason for the delay in this case was the nature of the message sent to The hospital in the first instance. You may replv to the secretary of the Watersiders’ Union that the ambulance is “immediately available when necessary at any accident,” but we. not unreasonably, ‘require that necessity be shown to prevent any unnecessary calls for the conveyance. A copy of the superintendent’s letter has been forwarded to the union. THE NEW HOSPITAL ACT. The Auckland Hospital t Board telegraphed in December intimating that they were protesting strongly against the" Act giving the Minister power of veto in appointments. They suggested that the principal boards should be afforded an opportunity to give evidence before the health committee. A circular letter received from the Auckland Board also directed attention to other clauses in the Hospitals Amendment Aet to which objection was taken. After dealing with clause 2 regarding power of veto, the board contended that this would open the door to political patronage. Clause 8 compelled local authorities to make their contributions monthly The Auckland Board thought there was no advantage to be gained by such frequent payments, and it would place local bodies at a disadvantage, as they were unable to collect rates well on i.i the year. Quarterly instalments should be satisfactory to both local authorities and boards alike. Dealing with clause 15, which amends section 72 of the principal 'ict

so that “relief” given to any person as a patient in a hospital may not be charged against the board from whose district such patient came. The trouble and expense in investigating other board’s cases and payments due did not compensate for the amount collected, ana the Auckland Board thought it wo’uld be a distinct advantage if section 72 were struck out altogether. The chairman reported replying that personally he did not take any objection to the department reserving the right to veto. It was quite within the limits of possibility that one of the 42 hospital boards might make undesirable appointments. He said it seemed that the only part of the new Act which seemed to meet with the objection of the Auckland IBcard was the fact that, the department was reserving the right to veto appointments made by boards. Members of the board would know from experience that they always had to submit appointments to the department hut in no case had the department vetoed the board’s decision. He. did not see that any board should turn against the department under whom they worked. There had been laxity in respect to appointments in the past, and the department had found that appointments had been made which were tar from satisfactory, and they could not now interfere with these appointments. Personally he did not see any reason why anv board should object, but perhaps members might wish to express their views on the question. The. board endorsed the chairman s reply sent to the Auckland Board.

GENERAL. The acting. master at the Raugiatea Home (Mr. S. Adams) reported that everything had been progressing satisfactorily fit the institution. The matron (Mrs. A. Bavly) had left on holiday leave on the sth inst. The number of inmates of the home was 38. 31 males and 7 females. . Nurse M. Leed (Uruti) reported that advice had been fgv wi in six cases, and

two dressings were done. One patient was taken to the New Plymouth Hospital.

The farm manager (Mr. W. C. Noble) reported that for the month of December the herd of 17 cows produced 14,3131b5. of milk. All work was progressing satisfactorily, and crops were doing fairly well. A large stack of ensilage had just been finished. An account for £lOO 16s charges for excess water used in the period April, 1919, to March, 1921, was received from the New Plymouth Borough Council, and a deputation will wait on the council to ask that some concessions be made to the board in this respect in future.