HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 March 1941, Page 6

HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

WAIRARAPA BOARD MEETING AT MASTERTON TODAY. FACILITIES AT GREYTOWN. The monthly meeting of the Wairarapa Hospital Board was held at the boardroom. Masterton Hospital, this morning. The chairman, Mr H. H. Maw ley, presided. There were als present Mesdames S. Fletcher. J. RobMisses H. Curd. C. MeKenw. Messrs F. Court, W. Britland, D McGregor, J. A. McLeod. W. B. Martin, W I. Armstrong, J. F. Thompson S. H. Bolton, A. Forsberg, P. R. Welch, C T Richardson and Arch Clark. Apologies for absence were receiveci from Messrs Trevor Beetham and H. Thomas. . ... "Fortunately there is only minor illness at Greytown Hospital,” said Mr Mawley, in commenting on the matron’s report' that the hospital was understaffed owing to illness amongst the nursing staff. "The hospital is particularly busy. Last month 51 operations were performed against 58 in Masterton. I hope the board won’t delay in providing the extra ward at Greytown, said Mi J. F. Thompson. Mr Mawley: “The board has no desire to hold up the erection of another ward there but the Health Department has to pass plans, etc., and it all takes time.” Mr Thompson: “I wished the board to take note of the number of essential operations performed at GreyIncluded in the recommendation of the finance committee, as to proposed capital expenditure for the next halfyear was £5OO, being half a year’s interest on a proposed loan of £30,000, the estimated cost of the erection of the new men’s ward, and the nurses’ home at Grey town.

Mr Mawley stated that £30,000 was the approximate estimate for the above buildings, the details of which the board had to determine with the Health Department. “The nurses have made a wonderful effort,” stated Mrs Fletcher in moving that a letter of congratulation be sent to the hospital nurses in raising over £BO for the patriotic effort, Mr Lee stated that the nurses had raised £43 by a pie-cart and £42 among themselves, representing contributions of. a day's pay, etc. Mr Mawley reported that the man-aging-secretary, Mr Norman Lee had been appointed group officer for No. 4 group, Emergency Hospital Organisation, In accordance with the instructions of the Health Department group officers would be requited to draw up an emergency plan covering the group of hospitals within the area over which they had charge. In preparing the plan travelling would be necessary and it had been recommended that as the area covered Wellington, Palmerston North and the Wairarapa hospital districts, that boards should bear the cost of travelling expenses.

It was decided to agree with the proposal. Considerable correspondence was received from the Department of Health concerning the use of wel-water for the nurses’ swimming baths. It was suggested that a fresh well should be bored, as the present site was considered unsuitable from a health point of view.

It was decided to agree to the suggestion. The secretary, Mr. N. Lee, submitted a comprehensive report setting out the financial position for the period April 1. 1940, to February 28, 1941. For the period maintenance expenditure was in excess of receipts by £2,034 12s Id. On capital account there was a credit balance of £BB 3s lid. Local contributing authorities levies received to February 28 totalled £39,309. The aggregate fees collections were £3.965 greater than last year. The Medical Superintendent spf Masterton Hospital, Dr. T. L. Parr, reported that 103 patients remained in the institution at February 28. The Matron of Masterton Hospital, Miss M. F. Barnett, reported that the nurses’ swimming pool and tennis courts had been informally opened. The ambulance answered 11 calls during the month, covering a distance of 175 miles. Miss L. Higginson, Matron of Greytown Hospital, reported that the wards had been very busy and the hospital had been short staffed owing to illness amongst the nurses. During lite last three months a large quantity of fruit had been given to the hospital by the people of the district. The Matron of Pahiatua Hospital. Miss N. Oekenden, stated that the average occupied beds was 21.7.