ESTIMATES MEETING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 April 1940, Page 8

ESTIMATES MEETING

WAIRARAPA HOSPITAL BOARD SATISFACTORY FINANCIAL POSITION. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS' REPORTS FOR MARCH. The monthly and the annual estimates meeting of the Wairarapa Hospital Board was held in Masterton this morning. In the absence of the chairman. Mr H. H. Mawley, Mr Trevor Beetham presided. There were also present: Mesdames S. Fletcher. J. Robertson: Misses C. McKenny. H. Card: Messrs J. F. Thompson, D. McGregor, W. 1. Arm-trong. F. S. 11. Bolton. W. Britland. A. Clark. A. Forsberg, W. B. Marti)), J. A. McLeod. C. T. Richardson. H. Thomas and P. R. Welch. Apologies for absence was received from Messrs H. H. Mawlev and F. Court. Motions of condolence with the Government in the death of Mr Sav'age. and with the relatives of the late Mr T. Hodgins (a former member of the board) were passed. In the course of his .report covering the financial position of the board for the year ending March 31. 1940. the Managing-Secretary, Mr Norman Lee. stated that the position would give general satisfaction. The general account showed a credit balance of £L--141, and there was a balance of loan funds amounting to £BO3. Collections for the financial year (April 1, 1939, to March 31. 1940) .amounted to £12,096 and were £1.655 in excess of the estimate. The daily average occupied bed figures were considerably lower than estimated md the average for the previous year. A total of 2,716 patients were treated during the period under review, compared with 2.549 the previous year, tn conclusion, Mr Loe suited that the highest number of patients on record had been treated at the Pahiatua Hospital. The Mediea l l Superintendent, Dr. T. L. Parr, reported that there were 105 patients remaining in the hospital at March 31. During the past month 63 operations were performed. 87 X-ray investigations made,' 132 pathological examinations carried out and 358 massage treatments given.

In the course of her report, the Matron. Miss M. F. Barnett, stated that the Masterton ambulance had answered 26 calls during the month, covering a distance cf, 484 miles. The V.A.D. nurses had completed their sixty hours of practical training. A new group was now commencing. Owing to ill health Sister Paterson, sub-matron had tendered her resignation. The Matron. Miss L. Higginson, Greytown Hospital, reported that ten patieiits were remaining in the hospital at March 31. The daily bed average was 17.26. A total of 55 patients remained in the Buchsfltan Ward at March 31. The ambulance answered 17 calls covering a distance of 573 miles. The ambulance answered two calls covering a distance of 93 miles, stated the Matron of the Pahiatua Hospital, Miss N. Ockenden. The daily bed average was 17.4. A total of 20 eperaticns were performed during the month. Accounts for £8,102 were passed for payment. - The Department of Health wrote forwarding estimate tables for the period 1940-41 and advising that the amount of refund cf subsidy to the. public account for the year endins? March 31, 1940, totalled £2,200. In preparing the estimates for the financial year, April 1. 1940, to March Si, 1941, the comprehensive report submitted Ly Mr Lee setting out several factors to be taken into consideration when framing the estimates, was received.