TARANAKI HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 August 1922, Page 7

TARANAKI HOSPITAL BOARD.

THE MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Taranaki Hospital Board was held at New Plymouth yesterday. There were present: Messrs. A. H. Halcombe, J. Andrews, H. R. Cattley, E. Gilmour, S. Vickers, M. O’Brien and J. Young. In the absence through illness of the chairman (Mr. M. Fraser), Mr. Halcombe was voted to the chair. Leave of absence was granted to Mr. J. Sutherland, from whom an apology was received. HOSPITAL REPORTS. The medical superintendent (Dr. E. A. Walker) reported that during July 101 patients had been admitted to hospital, 89 had been discharged, whilst 9 had died, leaving 95 in hospital. The highest number for one day was 95, the daily average 83.03, number of operations 49. July was a fairly busy month in all departments. Ten cases of diphtheria and four of scarlet fever were admitted during theUionth, nine of the former and eight of the latter remaining under treatment. Sister K. S. Barnitt (acting matron) reported that Nurse Orsman had returned from sick leave, and Nurse Mackie from relieving duty at Opunake. She was at present on sick leave. Sister Smith had returned from holiday leave, whilst Nurses Macßae and Ninon were on holiday leave. The dispenser and house steward (Mr. C. F. B. Perrin) reported that Warder Turner was joff duty through sickness. Patent fire extinguishers had been installed in the isolation block and the main building. Excellent improvements have been made to the grounds in front of the main building by Mr. W. W. Smith and the two gardeners. RANGIATEA HOME. The matron of Rangiatea Home reported that everything had been progressing very favorably during the month, supplies being good and discipline excellent. During the month there had been one admission and two departures, leavinig in the home 36 (males 31, females 5). THE FARM. The farm manager (Mr. W. C. Noble) reported that during the month the dairy herd had produced 12,0941b5. of milk. The herd had been reduced to 14, the lowest number he had milked, but with ensilage, green barley and fine weather they had milked exceedingly well. General work was now in progress for spring cropping. GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT. The general manager (Mr. E. Holden) reported that the sections in Fulford and Standish Streets had been surveyed, and it was hoped the necessary preliminaries for their sale would be completed during the week. The engineer was preparing the site at the hospital for a coal bunker, and the manager had asked him, whilst doing the work, to allow room for a bulk store and ambulance garage. Nurse Fraser had taken up her duties of district nurse at Uruti.

OPUNAKE NURSE’S REPORT. Nurse McFadgep (Opunake) reported she had attended three cases and three cases of pneumonia had been attended by her during the month. SANATORIA FOR CONSUMPTIVES. A resolution forwarded by the Bay of Plenty Hospital Board read: “That representations be made to the Minister of Health with a view to having established in New Zealand one or more institutions for the reception of incurable consumptives.” Support was asked for the following resolution forwarded by the South Otago Hospital Board: “That the Government be asked to undertake as r national matter the care and treatment of all T.B. cases, and that the various boards throughout the Dominion be asked to support the proposal.” It was pointed out by the accompanying letter that to have successful treatment T.B. cases must be taken fri hand at as early a stage as possible, and that the treatment be continuous until the patient was cured or deemed incurable. It was felt this could be best done by the Government. Members spoke in favor of the South Otago proposal, and a resolution was passed supporting it. GENERAL. The following resolution was forwarded by the Nelson Hospital Board for consideration: “That hospital boards be communicated with suggesting that loans for capital purposes be consolidated each year and obtained ner medium of the Government on the London market.—Received. A copy of a letter from the Minister of Public Health was forwarded by Mr. R. Masters. M.P., in which the Minister replied to the protest of the Taranaki Hospital Board in respect to land agents’ license fees not being paid to hospital boards. The matter had been submitted to Cabinet, and it had been decided that the present law was to stand. A letter was also received from the department confirming the letter. The thanks of the board were accorded Messrs. Smith and Masters, M.P.’s, for their representations in the matter.