HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 January 1939, Page 6

HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

MEETING OF WAIRARAPA BOARD COLLECTION OF PATIENTS’ FEES. MASTERTON ADMINISTRATION BLOCK. The chairman, Mr H. H. Mawley, presided at the monthly meeting of the Wairarapa Hospital Board, held today. Others present were: Messrs F. E. Bolton, F. Court, W. Britland, W. I. Armstrong. 11. Thomas, A. Forsberg, Arch Clark. P. R. Welch, W.B. Martin, C. T. Richardson, Mesdames’j. Robertson, S. Fletcher, Misses C. McKenny and H. Card. Apologies were received from Messrs J. F. Thompson. I. McLeod and Trevor Beetham.

The return of patients at the various institutions controlled' by the board was as follows, the figures for the corresponding month of 1937 being given in parentheses: Masterton Hospital: In hospital on November 30. 117 (134); admitted during December, 133 (127); total under treatment, 250 (261); discharged during the month, 144 (162); in hospital on December 31, 106 (99). Daily average. 109.64 (121.03).

Greytown Hospital: In hospital on November 30, 26 (15); admitted during December, 34 (53); total under treatment, 60 (68); discharged during month. 33 (44); in hospital on December 31, 27 (24). Daily average, 26.01 (16.6). There were 57 inmates in the Buchanan Home at the end of December as compared with 54 at the corresponding date in 1937.

Pahiatua Hospital: In hospital on November 30. 15 (19); admitted during December, 31 (26); total under treatment 46 (45); discharged during month, 22 (26); in hospital on December 31, 24 (19). Daily average, 18.1 (18). The Managing-Secretary, Mr Norman Lee, stated that for the period April 1 to December 31 patients’ fees collected were as follow, the figures for the corresponding period of 1937 being shown in parentheses: Masterton Hospital, £4365 (£3775); Grey town Hospital, £3349 (£2482); Pahiatua Hospital, £995 (£964); other hospitals, £367 (£516); District Nurse, Masterton, £63 (£31); Eketahuna, £lB ( —). Totals, £9,157, (£7,768). Mr Lee said that for the period under review maintenance expenditure was in excess of receipts by the sum of £2,943 10s 10cL On capital account there was a credit balance of £1799 0s IOaL The costs for the year were high in comparison with the previous year, but. that was anticipated when the estimates were being prepared. Owing to the necessity of employing additional staffs and increasing wages on account of industrial awards, maintenance expenditure on all hospitals had been increased beyond the amount estimated. Further, the cost of many commodities was continuing to advance with the ultimate result of further increasing the expenditure beyond the amount estimated.

The Matron of the Greytown Hospital reported that the hospital had been very busy during the month. The ambulance answered fourteen calls, covering a distance of 289 miles. The Masterton Branch, Women’s National Welfare League visited the Buchanan Wards on December 8, and entertained the patients with a concert and afternoon tea. The St Vincent de Paul Society visited the Buchanan Wards on December 19, bringing cakes and a Christmas gift for each patient, and also gave a concert. The Toe H Society sent Christmas gifts for all patients in Buchanan and Hospital Wards. Mrs Munn on behalf of the Masterton Women’s National Welfare League visited the Home on Christmas morning bringing a gift for each patient. The Nursing staff, assisted by a party, rendered Christmas carols in all wards on Christmas Eve. As usual Father Christmas visited the Buchanan Wards on Christmas morning and every patient received several useful gifts. Owing to there being a number of children in, a Christmas tree was decorated for the hospital wards. Owing to the generosity of the Wairarapa Hospital Board, in increasing the allowance, the patients not only had a special menu for Christmas Day, but also for Boxing and New Year Days, and everyone appreciated the thoughtfulness and kindness of the board. Al New Year the patients of the Buchanan Ward also had a little gift which adds to the pleasure of the day. Miss Card continued to visit the Hospital and Buchanan Wards every Sunday, leaving fruit with each patient.

The Matron of the Pahiatua Hospital reported:—“The hospital has been very busy during the month, especially during the latter period due to the number of heavy cases admitted, the extra work entailed during the Christmas period, and the shortage ■of nursing staff. The ambulance did not have a call during the month. Christmas passed very happily for both patients and staff. The nurses spent a good deal of their off duty time in decorating the wards, and these decorations, together with the masses of flowers, sent in by members of the public lent to the hospital a very bright and festive appearance. The members of the Methodist Church Choir visited Hospital on December 15, and rendered a very enjoyable programme of Christmas carols. Gifts were presented to all the patients and bouquets to the registered nurses. The visitors were later entertained to supper by the nursing staff. In addition, the nurses on Christmas Eve visited the wards and also rendered a programme of carols. Both entertainments were much appreciated by the patients. The gifts and extra comforts provided with the Christmas cheer grant helped very materially in making this Christmas a very happy one for both staff and patients, and on their behalf I would like to express the gratitude of all concerned for the consideration shown by the chairman and members of the Board in providing this extra good cheer. Donations of cakes and fruit were also received. Considerable inconvenience has been experienced

during the latter part of the month owing to the numbel- of sisters and nurses being off duty ill. During the past week two sisters and two nurses have been admitted to hospital and one sister and one nurse ill in the Nurses’ Home.

In her report for the month, the Matron of the Masterton Hospital acknowledged a long list of Christmas gifts and donations.

The Director-General of Health advised that the Minister of Health had approved of an overdraft of £7,000 for the quarter ending March 31, 1939.

The board’s architect. Mr F. C. Daniell. wrote stating that following on an interview with the Department of Health, plans and specifications of the proposed alterations to the operating theatre and kitchen block at the Greytown Hospital had been approved.

It was decided to ask Mr Daniell to interview the Public Works Department in an endeavour to obtain finality in connection with the plans and specifications of the administration block at the Masterton Hospital.