TARANAKI HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 November 1922, Page 8

TARANAKI HOSPITAL BOARD.

WORK OF THE MONTH. URUTI COTTAGE HOSPITAL. The monthly meeting of the Taranaki Hospital Board was iield yesterday. Present: Messrs M, Fraser (chairman), J. Sutherland, G. Capper, J. Young, M. O'Brien, J. Andrews, H. It. Cattley, E. Gilmour, S. Vickers, and A. H. Halcombe. The general manager (Mr, E. Holden) reported that nothing' of an untoward nature had happened during the month. The usual routine work had been carried out, and, in view of a letter from the medical superintendent, ho had given instructions that the path from the northern verandah of the nurses’ home should not be carried further than West Street. The question of repairing tlie floors of the corridors -it the hospital had been receiving attention, with the result that a self-contained section was to be put down as a sample, with a view to arriving at the cost of doing the whole. In order to test the relative cost of steam as against electricity for driving the laundry plant, an electric motor had been temporarily installed. Now that the steam plant had been Installed in the hospital kitchen, he suggested that the question of painting the block be considered. The roof of the Rangiatea Home had leaked during the recent wet weather, and had had to be attended to. He understood that some parts of the roof of the building were not in a good condition. The farm manager (Mr. W. C. Noble) had been down with influenza during the past few days. The medical superintendent (Dr. E. A. Walker) reported that, during October, 107 patients had been admitted to the hospital and 9G discharged, while 8 had died, leaving 84 patients in the various wabds. The highest number for a day was 92, the daily average being 86.3. October was a lighter month all round than the preceding one. Four cases of diphtheria and three of scarlet fever were admitted during the month. The Inspector-General of Hospitals had visited the nurses’ home on October 27. The farm manager (Mr. W. C. Noble) reported that the herd of 18 cows had produced 18,064 lb of mil# diming the month. Work for the season was well in hand. Five acres had been sown in early green feed, but owing to the heavy weather and hailstorm, would require re-drilling. There was 4 prospect of a heavy crop of grass, oats and peas for ensilage. Ten acres were ploughed ready ‘for summer and autumn green feed. The cattle were in good condition, and there had been no sickness for some time. The matron of the Rangiatea Home (Mrs. A. Bayly) reported that during the month there had been one departure from the home, leaving 30 males and (i females in the institution at present. The conduct and discipline had been excellent, and thanks were tendered to Dr. Home and Misses Norman, for magazines and books; Mrs. Hurlestone, for flowers; Mrs. Mason, cake; Whiteley Club and Presbyterian Bible Class, for confectionery, and the South Road Sunday-school children, for choral service and donation of collection. The dispenser (Mr. C. F. B. Perrin) reported that outside porter, Rice, had given up his duties on November 6, and had been replaced by Mr. W. Eustace. The Uruti district nurse (Sister M. I. Ratliff) reported that she had attended six patients during the month, three in their own homes and three at the cottage. The cases wdre two of mild influenza, one measles, one septic finger, one lacerated hand, and one septic knee. THE URUTI HOSPITAL. Sister M. I. Ra-tliff (district nurse at, Uruti) forwarded a list of drugs and medical stores required, and drew attention to the necessity of painting and repairing the house there. Mr. Musker, chairman of the local committee, also drew attention to the necessity of painting the roof, which was showing signs of rust. The chairman said that the condition of the Uruti cottage hospital was a disgrace to the board. It was a truly backblocks place where the people had extreme difficulty in getting out. He suggested that the matter of painting the ‘hospital inside and out, and doing any necessary repairs, be left in the hands of Mr. Halcombe, with power to act. Messrs. Vickers and Sutherland concurred in the chairman’s remarks, the chairman adding that. Uruti people were finding £lOO per year for the cottage hospital, and they deserved more than they had got in the past. A demand had been made one time for a hot-water service at -he hospital. The board was perhaps a little diiatep’ in the matter, and the people had provided ?t therfualves. The Uruti hospital had not cos>. the hi a rd' a penny. Mr. Halcombe thanked the hoard for its expressicns regarding the people of the district, ■: and rhe motion was carried unanimously. •! TUNNEL AT HOSPITAL. I The superintendent of the New Plymouth HnsI pltal (Dr. E. A. Walker) suggested that a : change be made in the proposed means of <_ i iri.nsit for the nurses between their home and I ilie'liospital building. The concreted path rrot! posed toil? the longest way round, and, in wet ‘ weather, this would be a serious consideration. 1 He suggested, a tunnel running in a direct line , from the home towards the entrance to th-” j hospital beside the padded cell. A covered • I way could be erected at a moderate cost to I cross the yard, and this would allow the staff * to get to duty dry in all weathers. Even if J the suggested scheme were to have a higher c initial cost, it would be for all time, and the f annual saving to the staff in goloshes, umbrel • ! las and macintoshes would go a fair waj’ J towards the payment of annual interest. .Mr. Gilmour moved that the board could not ' see its way to carry out the work suggested at the present time, and the motion was carried. GENERAL. The names of Misses Joan Humphreys and Hilda Theresa Florence Christiansen were placed on the probationers’ waiting-list. An application to sub-lease part of his quar-ter-acre section in Fulford Street was made by Frank Tonks, but, in accordance with the board’s policy, was not approved. In order that tradesmen’s accounts, etc., might bo settled before Christmas, it was decided that the next meeting of the board be held on December 13, a week earlier than usual. • The chairman mentioned that at the present time there were 25 school children patients at the hospital. Evidently, he said, New Plymouth ' had not .vet heard of open-air schools, and suggested that the board, would soon have to see the Education Board on the matter. 3