HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

Taranaki Daily News, 17 November 1926, Page 14

HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

TARANAKI BOARD MEETS PAST MONTH’S OPERATIONS. 'PROPOSED MATRONS’ COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Taranaki Hospital Board was held at New Plymouth yesterday. Those present were: Messrs. Al. Fraser (chairman), F. J. Hill, S Vickers, E. Gilmour, J. S. S. Medley, T. H. H. Sinclair, J. Corkill, A. H. Ha‘leombe, the Rev. R. B. Gosnell and the resident medical superintendent (Dr. J. M. Clarke). Mr. H. B. Lepper was granted leave of absence. With reference to a suggestion before the board at its previous meeting from the New Zealand Trained Nurses’ Association, the medical superintendent advised that after discussion with the matron he was of the opinion that a trial should ibe given of six months in probationary training. He pointed out at the meeting that the only nurses affected would be the doubtful ones at the end of three ■months. The chairman said it was a question for the department to decide. <’he board was merely asked to make a recommendation. A recommendation was accordingly made in favour of the proposal. The question of the supervision of the Rangiatea Home was raised by Mr. Vickers, who recommended that a committee should be appointed for that purpose. He said the condition of the building was deplorable and some of the rooms were unfit for habitation. The chairman said he did not want the board to think that the Home had been neglected, but he was of the opinion that a committee should be appointed. The excellent management had made strict supervision unnecessary. The chairman, Messrs. E. J. Hill and S. Vickers and the Rev. R. B. GosnelUwere accordingly appointed a committee of supervision. A proposal was made by the engineer in his report that an oil fuel burner should be installed for the steam boilers. Without censuring the engineer, the opinion was expressed by the chairman and Mr. Corkill that the proposal should come through the proper channel. Mr. Vickers considered that such a policy would not be a good one until it had been given a trial elsewhere. Finally, a resolution was passed that the question be not considered Until the proposal came through the proper channel. The action of the chairman and manager in connection with the provision of a morgue at Opunake was approved and authority granted for the removal of a shed to the hospital grounds for that purpose. Advice was received that the Minister for Health approved of the proposal to erect offices at the hospital, and would give his formal consent when the plans and specifications were received. Dr. B. L. Wilson notified his intention of resigning from his position of house surgeon about the middle of December. The names of Misses M. E. Perham (Hamilton), H. M. Bell (Te Aroha), J. F. Jenks (Hamilton), N. H. Clews (Tokomaru Bay), J. M. Clark (Opotiki) and W. M. Reid (Opotiki) were added to the waiting probationers’ list. REPORTS (FROM OFFICERS. The resident medical superintendent reported that during October 130 patients had been admitted, compared with 89 during October last year, while Ix 9 had been discharged, as against 83 last year. There had been nine deaths (last year 4). Remaining in hospital were 109 patients (last year 100), while the highest number for one day was 117 (100 last year). The daily average was 107.77 (91.06), and operations numbered 63 (41). Fifteen cases of infectious diseases were admitted, seven of typhoid (3 Maoris and 4 whites) and eight of diphtheria. There were no cases of scarlet fever. Mr. Hodson had returned from Dunedin after two weeks’ training in special laboratory methods, and had already used his training to good account.' Four nurses sat for the hospital final examination conducted by Drs. Fookes and Blackley and all passed. They were: Nurses Boys (with honours), Babbage, Barwick and Fenwick. The general manager (Mr. E. Holden) reported that a start had been made with the erection of the doctor’s residence. He had paid a visit to Opunake and had conferred with the chairmen of the Egmont County Council and Opunake Town Board with reference to the provision of a morgue for that district. The matron (Miss B. A. Campbell) reported that Nurse Evans had returned from holiday leave and Nurses Brandon, Heckler, Gordon, Glassford and Higgie from sick leave, while Nurse Jakins was on sick leave. Sisters Macdonald and Riddell had resigned, their resignations to take effect from the end of the month. Nurse Humphreys was unable to complete her fourth year on account of ill-health, and was leaving at the end of the month. Nurse Lewis, who was assisting at the Cottage Hospital, Opunake, for five days, had returned. Nurses Summer and Donald, having completed their three months’ term of probation, were now on the permanent staff, while Miss G. La Vie had commenced duties on probation. The radiologist (Dr. H. B. Leatham) reported that 79 patients had been attended to and that 142 exposures had been given. Miss Dawson had given 363 massage treatments. The bacteriologist ('Mr. F. S. Hodson) reported that during October 512 laboratory tests had been carried out. Twenty-seven males and four females were in the Rangiatea Home, reported the matron (Mrs. A. Bayly). Thanks were due to Mrs. A. M. Thomson for magazines. The matron of the Wellington hospital wrote with reference to a hospital matrons' council which it was proposed to hold every two' years, and asking for a recommendation to be submitted to the New Zealand Hospital Boards’ Association as a remit. The chairman said it would broaden the mind and add to the experience of a matron if she could have the privilege of going to other- hospitals and there seeing how things w T ere conducted. The medical Superintendent expressed the opinion that nothing but good could result from such a council, but more good would accrue by actually visiting other hospitals. It was decided to include this in the remit and also to ask that the scheme be sanctioned by the department so that expenses might be paid by the boards. The executive recommended that the recommendation of the medical superintendent and matron that Miss Wade be appointed as sub-matron and house-

keeper, vice Sister MacDonald, who had resigned be approved. On the same recommendation it was decided to appoint a nurse with Karitane experience for the children’s ward. The resignation of Nurses H. Riddell and J. Humphries were accepted with regret. As a result of a letter dealing with hospital dispensing with reference to happenings in a southern hospital, the medical superintendent reported that the dispensing at the local hospital was being carried out in strict accordance with the regulations. Advice was received that the annual conference of the Hospital boards* Association would be held in Christchurch on March 2 and 3, 1927.