HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 October 1938, Page 6

HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

MEETING OF WAIRARAPA BOARD THE RETURN OF PATIENTS. REFERENCE TO RISING COSTS. The chairman, Mr H. H. Mawley, presided at the monthly meeting of the Wairarapa Hospital Board, held this morning. Others present were: Messrs F. E. Bolton, F. Court, W. Britland, D. McGregor, W. I. Armstrong, W. Thomas, C. T. Richardson, Trevor Beetham, P. R. Welch, A. Forsberg, W. B. Martin, Mesdames J. Robertson, S-. Fletcher, Misses H. Card and C. McKenny. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs J. F. Thompson, J. McLeod and A. Clark. The Managing-Secretary, Mr Norman Lee reporting on the financial position of the board for the half year ended September 30, stated that expenditure was in excess of receipts by £4,525 10s lid. The bank overdraft was £3,644 7s 9d and cheques outstanding £853 9s 2d. Local contributing authorities’ levies for maintenance and capital had been fully paid for the half year. Subsidy amounting to £5,898 was outstanding but the amount had now been credited to the board’s account and would be brought to ciedit at the end of the present month. Had the amount been received before the end of September the account would have shown a credit balance of £1,372. ’ , Patients’ fees collections for the period were as follow, the figures for the corresponding period of last year being given in parentheses: Masterton Hospital, £2,874 (£1,987); Greytown Hospital, £2,204 (£1,816); Pahiatua Hospital £605 (£592); other hospitals, £236 (£349); District Nurse, £5O (£27); totals, £5,969 (£4,771). The aggregate collections were greater by the sum of £1,198 than for the same period last year, notwithstanding the fact that Masterton and Pahiatua were lower than the proportional estimate. Costs for the present year were high in comparison with the previous year, but that was anticipated when the estimates were being prepared. Labour costs and all commodities had increased considerably and were continuing to do so. The return of patients for September was as follows, the figures for the corresponding month last year being given in parentheses: Masterton Hospital. In hospital on August 31, 126 (150); admitted during September, 117 (141); total under treatment, 243 (291); discharged during month, 127 (138); remaining in hospital on September 30, 116 (153); daily average, 118.37 (144.93). Greytown Hospital: In hospital on August 31, 28 (11); admitted during September, 33 (22); total under treatment, 61 (33); discharged during September, 34 (21); remaining in hospital on September 30, 27 (12); daily,average, 24.9 (1'1.7). There were 57 inmates in the Buchanan Home at the end of September as compared with 49 at the same date last year. Pahiatua Hospital: In hospital on August 31, 18 (23); admitted during September, 33 (23); total under treatment, 51 (46); discharged during September, 30 (27); remaining in hospital on September 30, 21 (19); daily average, 20.5 (17). ' The Matron of the. Greytown Hospital reported that there had been a great deal of illness amongst the patients in the Buchanan Ward during the winter and the ward required more nurses to give them all the nursing attention required. The ambulance answered seven calls and covered a distance of 450 miles. The Martinborough League of Mothers visited Buchanan Home on September 23 and entertained the patients at afternoon tea and a concert. They also brought flowers, magazines and sweets. The Matron of the Pahiatua Hospital stated that the hospital had been very busy owing to the number of acute and heavy cases admitted and the shortage of nursing staff. Miss Bridges, of the Health Department, paid a visit of inspection to the hospital on September 27. ■ Miss Bridges expressed herself as satisfied with the condition of the hospital. For almost an hour the board discussed in committee a report by Miss M. I. Lambie, Director of the Nursing Division, on matters affecting the internal working of the Masterton Hospital. Explanations were given by the Medical Superintendent, Dr Archer Hosking, and the Matron, Miss K. I. Barnitt. It was decided that Mr Mawley, Miss McKenny arid Dr Hosking discuss matters arising out of the report with the Health Department in Wellington.

A quotation of £l3 5s was accepted for renovating the furniture in the Nurses’ Home at Greytown. Furniture in the domestic staff quarters, not worth renovating, is to be replaced. The Labour Department advised that approval had been granted for a 100 per cent subsidy for men to clean up the grounds at the Masterton Hospital. The board’s architect, Mr F. C. Daniell, wrote forwarding a revised plan for providing temporary nursing accommodation at the Greytown Hospital. The estimated cost of the building would be £430, to which would be added architect’s fees £3O and cost of furniture £6O, making a total of £520.

It was decided to send the plan and specifications to the Health Department for approval. Mr Daniell also forwarded a plan and specification for the administration block at the Masterton Hospital, the cost of which would be £B6OO. It was decided that application be made foi’ a loan of £7200 for the purpose of the following works: —Estimated cost of buildings, £8600; clerk of works, £280; architect, £559; furnishings, costs and contingencies, £1564; total, £11,000; less amount of the previous loan unexpended, £3BOO, £72og. •'