MASTERTON HOSPITAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 825, 27 September 1906, Page 5

MASTERTON HOSPITAL.

MEETING OF TRUSTEES. The adjourned monthly meeting of the Masterton Hospital Trustees was held yesterday morning. There were present—Messrs J. A. Renall (chairman), J. B. Keith, J. C. Ewiugton, and \T. Harris. An apology for abssnoe was recoived from Mr M. J. H. Jackson. The Treasurer reported as follows: Receipts for the month, £712 Gs; disbursements, including £l,-300 deposited iu the .bank, £1,152 9* 3d; leaving a cr. balance at date of £153 10s sd. Accouuts amounting to£lo2 8s 7d were passed for payment. The Matiou reported that there were thirteen patients in the Hospital, at last meeting, sixteen since ( admitted, fifteen discharged, leaving fourteen at present in the institution. A latter wbh received from the Matron in which she suggested that tha eight-bonr day system bo introduce! at the institution for the staff. The letter pointed out that the innovation would be more satisfactory to the trustees, doctors, staff, and patients. If the system were adopted an additional nurse would be required. The letter also suggested that the probationers that were kept on after three months' trial should be made to sign on for three years, and that in connection with the registration examination they receive lectures at regular intervals.from doctors aid fie Matron. The letter was held over for consideration until tha next meating. Dr A.. 'Josking wrote supporting the action of the Matron aud Dr Ross iu having refused recently to admit a case of delirium tremens taken by the police to the Hospital. As this difficulty arose periodically, the doctor asked whether it was not possible to provide accommodation in the uew building for police cases if the authorities or those concerned contributed the necessary funds. At the time of the refusal to admit the case, the beds in the Poapital were all full, so that the case could not possibly have been auoepted. Apart from that, the doctor said that it would be well for the to let the police authorities understand that the general conduct of the Hospital could not be upset by the accommodation of such cases as the cne under notice either in the present building or in the one now under construction. The Trustees decided to uphold the action of the Matron and Dr Ross.

The Secretary of the Distriot Hospital .Board wrote in reply to a re quest made to the Board that an ambulance waggon be provided for Masterton and that further provision be made for the accommodation of infectious diseases oases. The letter stated that should any difficulty be experienced in obtaining the use of a vehicle for the conveyance of infectious diseases oases, it might be possible to hire a suitable vehicle for a month at'a time for a small oharge rather than incur a heavy expenditure in purchasing a properly-equipped ambulance waggon. With regard to making further provision for the reception and treatment of infectious diseases cases, the letter stated that, in view of the contemplated ereotion of a new building for the purpose, it would be unwise to enter inio any serious expense in the matter of furnishing another temporary, establishment unless the necessity for so doing became more urgent than at present appeared to be the case. Dr Makgill, District Health Officer, wrote drawing the Trustees' attention to the overcrowding of the Hope Street Fever Hospital. The bouse was only fit to accommodate three oases besides a nurse, and there were ten patients in the institution. The letter pointed nut that there was" great danger in suob overcrowding, and temporary accommodation would have to be found without delay. It was suggested that a large cottage might be hired or marquees with temporary wooden floors erected in the Hospital grounds for the isolation of fever patients. The Secretary reported that satisfactory arrangements had been made with Inspeotor Dorizao for tho private isolation of f«ver patients, and thus the strain on the accommodation at the Hope Street Hospital would be relieved. It was deoided that the present state of things did not require any immediate action to be taken. Mr Harris was appointed the visiting member for the month.