TARANAKI HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 April 1922, Page 2

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. Young, S. Vickers, E. Gilmour, H. R. Cattley, J. Andrews. Leave of absence was granted to Messrs. M. O’Brien and A. H. Halcombe. MEDICAL REPORT. The medical superintendent (Dr. E. A. Walker) reported that 8G patients were admitted to hospital during March, 91 were discharged, 4 died, and the number remaining in hospital was 71. The highest number for one day was 83, the dally average being 73,09. The number of operations was 50. With the lowest monthly average February of bast year, March was a quiet month all round. Two cases of scarlet fever and seven of diphtheria were admitted during the month. Six of scarlet fever and four of diphtheria remain under treatment. Miss Bicknell, assistant inspector of hospitals, visited the institution on the 14th inst. MATRON’S REPORT. The matron (Miss B. A. Campbell) reported that Nurses Conden, Smith, and Grant had returned from holiday leave, and Nurse Smart from sick leave. Misses Sangstei* and Mackenzie had commenced duties as probationers. Miss Harkness had left at the end of her probationer}’ period owing to family reasons, Miss Cresswell had also left, while Miss Lansley had commenced her duties. The nurses entered the new home on 10th inst. The kitchen has not yet been opened. There are a number of details still requiring attention in the home. OTHER REPORTS. The farm manager (Mr. W. C, Noble) reported that the dairy herd of 18 cows had produced 14,210 lbs of milk. The ! sowing of green feed for the winter jiand spring was almost finished. The dispenser (Mr. C. F. B. Perrin) reported that Warder Turner was on annual leave. Steam and hot water is now installed in the isolation block. All furniture from the old nurses’ home had been removed to the old hospital. The matron of Rangiatea Home (Mrs. A. Bayly) reported everything had been progressing satisfactory, discipline being excellent and supplies good. There had been one departure and one death during the month, the number remaining in hospital being 39 (males 32, females 7). The district nurse at Opunake (Nurse McFadgen) reported that colds were very prevalent throughout the district. The Uruti district nurse (Nurse Leed) reported that two visits had been paid and advice given in three cases. j

GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT. The general manager (Mr. E. Holden) reported that the medical superintendent had returned from holiday leave on March 18 while the matron had returned after a short holiday. Col. Campbell. the auditor general, had been taken up to the hospital and expressed pleasure and satisfaction with what he saw. Mrs. Lansley had commenced her duties as housekeeper.

The installation of hot water and i steam to the old hospital is now completed and from tests 'made give far better results than the installation in the new building. He would suggest that Mr. J. H. Anderson, consulting engineer, be asked to report on a similar installation in the new hospital. He had asked the board’s engineer to give estimates of the cost and the assurance was given that material would cost approximately £6O. The advantage would be better and more efficient service at a cheaper cost. The engineer had reported an apparent wasteful use of water and instructions were immediately given to rectify this. The nurses’ old home had been sold, as authorised, and the furniture is now in the old hospital. In view of the fact that the present leases of the board’s sections iir Fulford Street mature in September, it was suggested that the board decide what should be done with them. Matters relative to the Rangiatea Home had been going along smoothly. The frame for the verandah at the women’s end of the building had been completed. It was suggested that the small boiler, which was used for supplying the hospital theatre with hot water, be installed in the men’s sitting room in place of the one now being used. Work at the farm had been going on satisfactorily and both the manager and assistant were ba<’k at work.

In consequence of the Easter holidays coming so close to the end of the financial yeai - , the complete balance sheet is not quite ready. The year had closed with a cash credit balance of £349. OPUNAKE BEQUEST. Messrs. Govett, Quilliam. and Hutchen notified that they had received from the Public Trust Office the transfer of the Opunake properties to the board. —Messrs. Young and O’Brien were asked to forward a report on the best means of leasing the Opunake properties and to forward the result of their investigations to the general manager. AUDIT FEES. Mr. S. G. Smith forwarded the copy of a letter received from the Primo Minister in reference to the board’s representation that audit charges be revised in view of the recent decision to increase these from £2 to £3 3s a day. Mr. Massey had noted the view (expressed and would bring them under notice of the Minister of Internal Affairs. Mr. R. Masters, M.P., replied to the board’s memo on the same lines. ! —Messrs. Smith and Masters were I thanked for the interest they had I taken in the matter. GENERAL. It was decided to submit the. leases !of the Fulford Street sections, which expire shortly, for auction at an upset j price, a ' committee of the board beI ing set up to decide what the upset I price should be, and being empowered I to act. In referencee to the heating of the New Plymouth hospital, the borough electrical engineer (Mr. R. IL Bartley) i suggested, in the course of a repor;. I that it would be beneficial for the board to pay the full price of 6d foi I lighting and receive the heating at ’ heating rates, which would average slight!v over one penny per unit. There wa*s. however, a difficulty in installing ■ the heating circuits. Other recoinEmendations of a technical nature were made. Mr. Vickers and the general manager were appointed to inquire into the position at the hospital dairy, which was reported to be in an insanitary condition. i