HOSPITAL WORKS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 December 1939, Page 8

HOSPITAL WORKS

■ NURSES’ SWIMMING BATH AT MASTERTON V.A.D. WORKERS’ SALARIES. THANKS FOR IRON LUNG. I Ministerial authority for an expeni diture of £BOO on the nurses' swimming baths now being constructed at Masterton Hospital was conveyed in a letter from the Director-General of Health. Dr M. H. Watt, which came before the Wairarapa Hospital Board at its monthly meeting. Dr Watt suggested several minor amendments to the specifications. . It was decided to refer the suggestions to the architect who would confer with the Works Committee. The Managing-Secretary, Mr N. Lee, pointed cut that the excavation was being carried out by Scheme 13 workers. who were using tip trucks. The baths were being constructed on the old roadway adjacent to the new Nurses’ Home. "Road closed" notices had been placed at either end. but one had been removed by unauthorised persons. Traffic entering and leaving the hospital used the front entrance, via a two-way traffic entrance. The Director-General of Health also advised that the suggested salary to V.A.D. workers permanently employed at the hospital be £1 10s per week, with a boarding allowance of 10s if necessary. It was suggested that overalls be provided by the board, but that official caps be worn. The letter was received, and it was decided to accept the recommendations.

A formal notification to the effect that the Iron Lung donated by Lord Nuffield had arrived in New Zealand was given by the Health Department. It was pointed cut by Mr Lee that the respirator had arrived and was ready for use. It was decided to forward a letter of thanks io the Department, it being stressed by the chairman that the Department would forward it to the proper quarters. A questionnaire was also received from the Department in connection with ambulance equipment. full information being required by the New Zeaand Standards' Institute. The letter was received, and it was decided to forward the required information.

In response to a request from Dr M. 11. Watt, it was decided that the Matron attend a conference in Wellington on December 19. at which the question of nursing staffs at training schools for military nurses would be discussed by the matrons from all the hospitals in New Zealand. The Local Government Loans’ Board forwarded a "Gazette” notice of cancellation of loan of £7.200. The board’s architect. Mr F. C. Daniell. forwarded the amended estimate of cost of alterations to the Administration Block. The estimate was in the vicinity of £3700. It was pointed out by the Managing-Secretary that to communicate with the Medical Superintendent by telephone from the hospital it was necessary to ring the Masterton exchange, there being no interoffice telephone system.