THE HOSPITAL TRUSTEES

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2431, 20 February 1909, Page 6

THE HOSPITAL TRUSTEES

MONTHLY MEETING. -

The monthly meeting of the Hospital Trustees was held in the Cook County Chambers last evening. Present-: Messrs the Hon. W. H. Tucker (chairman), T. Holden, A. Dewing, G. Darton, E. Forde Matthews, and W. D. S. MacDonald, M.P. Dr. Carlyle Wilson was also in attendance. Mr. W. Miller intimated that he would bo pleased to make a gift of a piece of marble Statutary, “The Thorn,’! which lie had recently purchased in Florence, to the Hospital. The gift was accepted with hearty thanks.

A letter of apology for entering the Hospital out of visiting' hours was received from A. Ramage, his explanation being that his occupation prevented his visiting during the regular hours,—Received. .

Miss Stewart -wrote -resigning her position on the Hospital staff as lady superintendent. The Chairman spoke highly of Miss Stewart’s 19 years’ connection with the Hospital, and other members endorsed his remarks.

The resignation was .accepted with regret.

The medical superintendent reported that the -Hospital was overcrowded with patients, -the male ward., being especially full. Ho stated that two

more nurses were necessary to bring tho staff up to an efficient working point. A new operating tabic was also required. It was resolved that another operating table be procured. " Air. Da.rton said that the men’s ward was evidently overcrowded, and lio thought that some of tlie older cases could be well treated as outpatients, and thus relieve the congestion. He considered the nurses were

overworked, and that it was not right that the institution should be understaffed.

Air. AlacDonald spoke in a similar strain.

It was decided that three more nurses be engaged. Air. AY. D. 8. AlacDonald submitted his visiting report, which stated that everything was in satisfactory order. The Hospital was in want of at least two more nurses, and the accommodation was overtaxed.

The secretary (Air. E. G. Matthews) reported that very few patients were paying their fees. During the last two months especially tho payments had been very poor. The secretary was instructed to take legal proceedings for the recovery of unpaid fees. Tho Treasurer’s report read as under:—Receipts: Government subsidy £256 19s Id, patients’ fees £l9 Bs, subscriptions £5 3s 6d, total £2Bl 10s 7d. Expenditure: Overdraft last meeting £59 14s 6d, accounts passed £153 15s 9d, salaries £123 10s; total £337 0s 3d. Position at end of month : Present overdraft £55 9s Bd, accounts passed £136 Us Id. salaries £122. total £314 0s 9d. District Board requisition due £4OO. The patients report read: Remaining in Hospital from admitted since 34; total 75. Dicha • - god since 28, died 2. Total in Hospital 45Messrs F. J. Lysnar and G. E. Barton were appointed the visiting committee for the ensuing month. Air. AlacDonald raised the question of appointing another lady superintendent as early as possible. He thought steps should be taken at once to fill Miss Stewart’s position. Air. Darton thought the time was ripe to combine the positions of matron and lady superintendent. It was-decoded that tho matter be further discussed at the adjourned meeting next Friday evening.