HOSPITAL CONTROL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 September 1941, Page 7

HOSPITAL CONTROL

MEETING OF WAIRARAPA BOARD DAILY COST PER PATIENT. COMMENT ON INCREASE. The monthly meeting of the Wairarapa Hospital Board was held in Masterton today. The chairman, Mr H. H. Mawley, presided. There were also present Mrs S. Fletcher, Misses C. McKenny, H. Card, Messrs Trevor Beetham, F. S. H. Bolton, P. R. Welch, W. I. Armstrong, J. A. McLeod, J. F. Thompson, F. Court, A Clark, W. B. Martin, A. Forsberg, C. T. Richardson and W. Britland. Apologies for absence were received from Mrs J. Robertson and Mr H. Thomas.

Those present stood in : silence as a mark of respect to the late Nurse F. Maxwell, formerly a member of the Masterton Hospital staff. The managing secretary, Mr Lee, submitted a detailed report which showed that the total daily cost per patient for the year ended March 31, 1941, was 19s 6|d, against 19s 2d for the year ending March 31, 1940.

Mrs Fletcher considered that the report submitted showed an alarming trend of increased costs. She asked if the cost of medical attention could be cut down. Four whole-time doctors and four part-time doctors might be too much.

Mr Mawley: “It is an awkward question for the layman to answer.” Mr J. F. Thompson: “Our costs are lower than the average in other centres.”

Mr Lee submitted examples of the trend of increased costs. Sheets, formerly 13s a pair were now almost double. He considered costs would rise higher still. Mr Mawley said that rising costs, the forty-hour week, etc., were responsible for the expenses rising. Medical costs had little bearing on the position.

The report was received. In connection with the nursing accommodation at Greytown Hospital Mr Mawley indicated that difficulty was being experienced in obtaining accommodation in Greytown for nursing aids and stated that he had examined the cottage used by porters at Greytown which could be used, if renovated, to accommodate five aids. Other accommodation could be found for the porter. The cottage would cost £245 to renovate. “I strongly recommend that the work be carried out,” added Mr Mawley. Mr Thompson: “It is an excellent idea.”

On the motion of Mr Martin, seconded by Mr Thompson, it was decided to carry out the work. The proposal by the Department of Health that to obtain more co-opera-tion in the medical services in the district there should be a directing authority, preferably the medical superintendent of Masterton Hospital, resulted in a special meeting of hospital superintendents presided over by Mr Mawley, ’ when the following recommendations were made: (1) That Dr. Parr should visit the Greytown Hospital at least once a fortnight and more often if necessary, after consultation with the acting medical . superintendent. (2) That Dr. Parr should visit the Pahiatua Hospital at least once per month after consultation with the medical superintendent. (3) That arrangements be made for a clinical meeting to be held at Masterton Hospital once a month at which the medical superintendents of Greytown and Pahiatua would attend. (4) That the Department of Health be informed of the proposals.

The recommendations were adopted by the board.

The managing secretary, Mr Norman Lee, stated that for the period April 1 to August 31, maintenance expenditure was £1,666 in excess of receipts. On capital account there was a credit balance of £727. Patients’ fees were practically as estimated, £10,496. Dr. T. L. Parr, medical superintendent of Masterton . Hospital, reported that 117 patients remained in hospital at August 31. Sixty-seven operations were performed, 202 X-ray investigations and 178 pathological examinations made, 606 massage treatments given and 185 general out-patients treated.

Miss H. D. Grant, matron of Masterton Hospital, reported that the majority of nurses were very keen and interested in the postural exercises given them. Dr. Parr had given lectures to the trained staff. The ambulance had answered 10 calls covering 467 miles. The matron of Greytown Hospital, Miss L. Higginson, reported that 18 operations were performed during the month. Twenty-five patients remained in hospital at August 31. In the Buchanan wards a total of 56 patients remained at August 31. The ambulance had answered 15 calls, covering 342 miles. Mr W. B. Martin, Martinborough, had given a number of ornamental trees to replace others in front of the hospital. Miss N. Ockenden, matron of Pahiatua Hospital, reported that 23 operations were performed. The ambulance had answered 5 calls, covering 420 miles.