TARANAKI HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 July 1922, Page 2

TARANAKI HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. \ The monthly meeting of the New Plymouth Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held yesterday morning. In the absence of the chairman (Mr. M. Fraser) through Illness, Mr. A. H. Halcombe was voted to the chair, and the following gentlemen were also present: Messrs. J. Andrews, H. R. Cattley, E. Gilmour, S. Vickers, J. Sutherland, G. Capper, J. Young, and M. O’Brien. A REPORTS. The general manager (Mr. C. Hokfc&n) reported that nothing of an unusual nature had occurred during the month. The grounds round the Nurses’ Home had been ploughed and are being levelled and prepared for sowing; The engineer had been experimenting with fuel, and it was hoped, in consequence, that the fuel bill in future would be considerably, lessened. Further alterations are also coijj* tomplated. The hospital at Opuuake was now open, and he recommended that the board should consider the question of management. Nurse Mackie had been sent to Opunike,. in response to an urgent call for extra nursing assistance there. The dispenser (Mr. C. F. B. Perrin) reported that everything under his control had gone smoothly and well during the month. Head wUrder Shepherd had been off duty 2% days on account of sickness. The medical superintendent. Dr. E. A. Walker, reported that the present heating arrangements in the operating theatre were unsatisfactory, as the heat is at present concentrated in one part of the room. He recommended that effect be given to the engineer’s suggestion to place a two inch nickel pipe round the theatre. Besides being more efficient, heating by* this unethod would be more economical. —'Referred to the house committee with power to act. CORRESPONDENCE. The general manager of the New Plymouth Borough Council advised that the drainage at the hospital had been looked into and that the inspector had found that a storm water channel had been connected to the sewer. This was a serious matter, as it was not only likely to block the drain with grit, but may cause drain air to be discharged near the front gate. The matter had been rectified and the inspector desired to draw the board’s attention to the serious consequences that may arise by inexperienced persons tampering with the sewers.—-Received.

The South Otago Hospital Board asked the board’s co-operation In bringing the following resolution before the Legislative:—“That the Minister of Health be asked to introduce legislation so as to include hospital boards among local bodies, in order to allow hospital boards to borrow from the State Advances Office; also that the Minister he asked to a subsidy of £ for £ on money borrowed for building purposes, or on the interest thereon, the same as is allowed on money levied for building purposes.” The letter went on .to refer to the advantages that would accrue in lowering the amounts levied and the lower rates of interest that would have to be paid. The secretary pointed out that owing to the financial situation the Government could not at present pay subsidies to cover interest on loan monies, but it had been promised.—Referred to finance committee.

The Department of Health forwarded a copy of a report on motor ambulances at present on loan fro.ni the Defence Department at Wellington. and desired to know whether the board wished to take advantage of the offer. The report stated that the ambulances were fitted with Sunbeam engines and appeared to be in first class order. The bodies were well sprung and the cars were supplied with tools, stretchers, lamps, etc. The secretary advised ■hat he had replied stating that the board desired one, but a subsequent letter had been received stating that ail the ambulances had been distributed.—Received.

The Department of Health advised that the Orthopoedic Hospital at Trentham was to be closed and no fresh patients were to be sent there. The King George V. Hospital. Rotorua, .'would remain as a special orthopoedic hospital to which all eligible eases were to be sent if desired.—Received.

The. Department of Health asked for a reply to their circular suggesting that the board adopt a scale of £8 3s per week for hospital patients, with a reduction of £1 Ils 6d to members of friendly societies and children under 12 years of age.—Mr. Halcombe stated it was an inopportune tiune to talk of reducing fees, and the board decided to take no action in the matter. * The Department of Health advised that it had considered the resolution of the boaTd in regard to State certificates for nurses, but did not deem it advisable to» endorse on the certificate the number of marks gained. Further, the Department did not consider It necessary to add to the record on the State certificate, as this certificate is the legal record of qualifications gained by State examinations. Subsequent qualifications such as midwifery or massage are added in the register and. separate certificates are given for them. It the hospital training schools to give awards for special merit. Mr. Gilmour asked If the board could do anything seeing that the Department had turned down the resolution. The secretary stated that the board had no power to make an award to nurses gaining certificates of merit.—Received. OPUNAKE COTTAGE HOSPITAL. - A letter was received from Mr. Geo. W. Rogers, chairman of the Opunake Cottage Hospital Committee, advising that a number of ladies and gentlemen of that district had been appointed a committee to look after the hospital, and that great enthusiasm had been evinced. This committee requested the board to furnish the hospital as per a list enclosed, and also requested particulars of its powers, duties, and responsibilities and its financial relations with the board. It. was further requested that the board; appoint a medical officer to the hospital. The first Saturday in the month at 1.30 p.m. had -been fixed as-the day for meeting for the committee. On the motion of Mr. Halcombe, seconded by Mr. Capper, the letter , was referred to the' finance committee with the addition of Messrs. Young and O’Brien. GENERAL. A lengthy report was received from the consulting engineer to the Department of Health .on the engineering services at the hospital.—Consideration of the report, was left to the house committee. A number of replies were received from other hospital boards and from members of Parliament promising support to the board’s resolution protesting against the withdrawal of the portion of the land agents’ fees previously paid to hospital boards. \