HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 March 1940, Page 6

HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

WAIRARAPA board

meeting in masterton.

BUSINESS DEALT WITH TODAY

The monthly meeting of the Wairarapa Hospital Board was held this morning. Mr Trevor Beetham presided in the absence of the chairman. Mr H. 11. Mawley, there also being present: Mesdamos S. Fletcher. J. Robertson. Misses C. McKennv, H. Card and Messrs F. S. H. Bolton. W. Britland, W. 1. Armstrong. P. R. Welch. W B Martin. A. Forsberg. F. Court. ’ H Thomas. A. Clark. J. A. McLeod and C. T. Richardson. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs Mawley, J. F. Thompson and Duncan McGre-

Accounts amounting to £6.101 were passed tor payment.

The Department of Health wrote advising that when it is required that a mother or infant accompany the other into the hospital. Social Security Hospital benefits would be paid in respect to both mother and child at 6s pci day. The Superintendent of the Masterton Fire Brigade, Mr T. B. Clark, advised that all equipment at the Mastci ton Hospital had been inspected and found in good order.

In connection with a citation received from the Manawatu-Wairarapa Employers’ Association concerning a labourers' award, the Managing-Secre-tary. Mr _\r. Lee. was authorised to discuss the provisions of the proposed award with the managing-secretary of Ihe Palmerston North Hospital Board, who had been appointed an assessor The executive of the Hospital Boards' Association of New Zealand wrote stating that it was watching the position in regard to ihe recovery of charges as between boards, and the repeal of sub-section 4 of Section 94 of the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions’ Act.

The letter was received. In ihe course of his report covering the financial position of the board for Ihe period April 1. 1939. to February 29. 1910. the Managing Secretary. Mr. Norman Lee. stated: "For the period maintenance expenditure is in excess of receipts by the sum of £3069. On capital account there is a credit balance of £2751. The bank pass book shows a credit balance of £965. but after making provision for cheques outstanding and totalling £llB3'. there is an overdraft of £217. The’ state-

mcnt of balances shows a reconciliation of pass book with cash book. Local contributing authorities' levies for maintenance and Government subsidy received to February 29. 1940, totals £40,639. The proportional amount due to this date is £44.172. leaving an amount of £3533 due on the 29th. The last instalment of levies was due on February 29. and payment is to be made within fourteen days. Most local bodies have made their final quarterly payment and subsidy claims have been rendered. The remaining instalments will be paid on due date. Subsidy will then be claimed and the full amount should be credited to the Board’s general account before the end of the financial year. The aggregate fees collected for the period April 1 to February 29. .1940, were £8661 greater than Cor the same period last year, being £19.610. compared with the estimate of £18,682. The Social Security benefits* received for all institutions up to February 29 amounted to £10.656. In addition, claims totalling £1677 had .been lodged with the Department, which it was anticipated would be paid before Ihe end of the financial year. The aggregate maintenance expenditure on the three hospitals for the period April 1. 1939. to February 29, was £162 higher than for the proportional estimate for the year. In connection with capital receipts and payments there is a credit balance of £2751. The amount of levy and subsidy due for the period is £9590 and the amount received is £8744. As in the case of maintenance levy the last quarterly instalment is due on February 29. As funds for capital purposes will not be totally expended, the balance of subsidy will not be credited to the board’s account until next financial year. The unexpended balance of loan funds is £3771 of which £37.50 is on fixed deposit with the Bank of New Zealand. The board's financial year ends on March 31, and it will be necessary to make application for authority for an overdraft, of £7OOO for the quarter. April 1 to June 30. 1940. With reference to maintenance account, if all levies and subsidy and payments from the Social Security De partment are received the account wil not be overdrawn at March 31, 1940 However, if the account, is overdraw! through non-receipt of any of thesi sums it will be necessary to make ap plication to the Department of Healt! for an advance on account of subsidy in terms of Section 54 of the Hospita and Charitable' Institutions Act. The board should, therefore, resolve that application be made accordingly if the account is overdrawn at March 31, 1940. Similar action was taken at March 31. 1939."

"Work has been very heavy during the past, month," stated the Medical Superintendent. Dr. T. L. Parr, in submitting his report. "There were 114 patients remaining at January 31. 137 being admitted in February; 139 patients were discharged in February, leaving a total of 112 remaining in hospital at February 29. The daily average occupied bods were 112.55.” Dr. Gillies visited the hospital on February 28, on behalf of the Crippled Children Society and with Dr. Parr saw all the nine eases in the hospital in which the society was interested and also eight out-door cases. Six of these would probably benefit from surgical treatment. and two had boon recommended for admission to Wellington, while the other four would be treated here. Advantage was taken of Dr. Gillies's presence for consultation on two orthopaedic cases. Seventy-eight operations were performed. 1)8 X-ray investigations made. 142 pathological examinations done and 317 massage treatments given.

The Matron. Miss M. F. Barnett, submitted her report, stating that she wished to recommend Nurses Ericson. M. Cunningham. V. Turner and Perry to the position of stat! nurses as from March I. During the month. Dr. Parr gave five lectures. Dr. Feltham nine

and Dr. Prior five. The Masterton ambulance answered 17 calls during the month and covered a distance of 309 miles. Miss Barnett, with five members of Ihe nursing stall', visited Wellington Io stage a demonstration, on February 28, at the Exhibition, the subnet being the nursing of measles in the home. Miss N. Ockenden matron of

the Pahiatua Hospital, reported that the daily bed average during the month was 26. Seventeen major and 12 minor operations were performed. One outpatient was treated. The ambulance answered four calls, covering a distance of 185 miles.

The Matron of the Greytown Hospital. Miss L. Higginson, reported as follows: "During the month there were 41 patients admitted to hospital. Forty were discharged and there was one death, leaving a total of 25 patients remaining on February 29. The daily average was 27.62. Twenty-nine operations were performed during the month. Dr. Sharp visited the hospital three times and X-rayed six patients. Buchanan Wards: There were three admissions and two deaths in the Buchanan wards, leaving a total of 56 patients remaining on February 29. The daily average was 56.65. The health of the patients in the Buchanan wards has been fair. The ambulance answered eight calls, covering a distance of 192 miles."

The following is a brief report subI milted by the Medical Superintendent . (Dr. T. L. Parr) on the classification of i operations and diseases based on the - final diagnosis of patients discharged . from April 1 to December 31, 1939—a i period of nine months: The classification follows the international system, but sub-headings have been grouped a Igood deal so that all operations are included under 86 headings, and diseases under 149. Some of the figures may be of interest. Operations: For tonsils and adenoids, 132: goitre, 20; teeth extractions, 27; hernias, 18; appendicectomy, 38: gall bladder disease, 11. Diseases (being main diseases for which admitted): Scarlet fever, 3; diphtheria. 8; poliomyelitis. 2: pulmonary tuberculosis. 31; cancer and other tumours. 24: alcoholism. 8; cerebral haemorrhage, etc.. 18; mental disease. 12; hysteria, etc.. 16; heart disease, 32: pneumonia. GO; normal child birth. 88: abortion. 13; fractures and dislocations, 54: wounds, 3G. Results: Deaths following operation were two—one goitre and one bile-duct operation. Of the 53 other deaths. 27 were due to cardiorenal disease and six to tuberculosis: six to long-standing medical conditions: four to congenital debility and three to cancer. There were two deaths following road accidents —both head injuries. A noteworthy feature is ihe 60 cases of pneumonia, of which all recovered, except one child of 14 months admitted moribund. This is due mainly to the new drug. It is also certain that the average days’ stay of pneumonia cases has been much reduced by the use of this drug. A satisfactory feature is that, there were no deaths from appendicitis, although some of the 38 cases operated on for the disease, were severe ones. The details of these classifications are readily available, and form a necessary basis on which the work of the hospital can be investigated and evaluated.