HOSPITAL BOARD

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 247, 17 September 1929, Page 2

HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING HELD. PROGRESS AT INSTITUTION The monthly meeting of the Pal* merston North Hospital Board was held yesterday, the chairman (Mr J. Hornblow) presiding. Others present were Mrs L. A. Abraham, Messrs O. McElroy, D. Collis, M. A Moody- L. T. McLean, A. E. Mansford, R. L. C. Aitchison, W. Howell, J. Boyce, I. J Ryder, W. Greenhow, G. P. Catley, V. Smith and G. A. Monk. The managing-secretary (Mr .A. J. Phiilipps) submitted the following report : —The work on the two storey block is proceeding at a most satisfactory rate. The slaters finished during" ,the month and the exterior colouring and pointing on the brick work have been commenced. , The plasterers are making satisfactory progress. The work of removing the trees close to the building has been commenced. The staff quarters over the bulk fitoie were made ready for occupation during the month. The contractor for tho furniture turned out a very satisfactory job. In accordance with the board’s previous decision, a chassis has now been ordered for the Otaki ambulance. lam submitting drawings and specifications • for the body work and would be glad of instructions as to calling tenders. As mentioned on various previous occasions the present manual telephone oxcliange at the hospital is inadequate. It cannot be extended unless bv replacing the existing switch-board by a larger one at an increased annual rental. It will be remembered that some two years ago the board discussed the question of an internal automatic telephone exchange but nothing was done, it being then decided to hold the matter over for consideration when extra telephones were required for new wards. At the present time a considerable amount of inconvenience and sometimes delay occurs owing to various points at the hospital not being connected to the telephone. Further extra points will be required for each of the new wards. I would suggest that the board consider the whole question of the telephone system at an early date. It is likely that some saving could be effected aud that we could get at no increased cost a more efficient system than we have at present, and though certain capital expenditure may be necessary earfv in the next financial year the annual charges could be reduced.—The report was received. The matron of the Old People’s Home reported that there were 39 males and 9 females in the institution on August 31. A box of sandwiches and cakes had been gratefully received from the West End Sunday School, per Miss Owtram.

The Feilding District Nursing Committee reported that Sister Smith had paid 291 sick visits to 33 patients. The Palmerston North District Nursing Guild reported that during August, Sister Alexander paid 440 visits to 50 patients. The social welfare committee reported that on the motion of Mi* Aitchison, seconded by Mr Mansford, it was agreed to recommend that the work of re-covering the verandah roofs at the Old People’s Home with galvanised iron be proceeded with at an estimated cost of £65 10s. This is a maintenance work which is rendered necessary owing to the malthoid covering on these roofs having perished, with consequent leaks. REPORT OF EXECUTIVE.

The executive committee reported that accounts amounting to £51116 6s 9d were recommended for payment. It had been resolved that the managing secretary should be authorised to confer with Messrs. Lines and Oakley as to the interpretation of certain sections in the Destitute Persons Act regarding the recovery of hospital accounts from stepfathers. The managing secretary’s report was recommended for adoption, it being decided to recommend: —(1) That the chairman, Mr Mansford, medical superintendent and the managing secretary, be a special committee to report fully on the question of the hospital telephone system. (2) That tenders be called for the ambulance body work, further details to be left in the hands of the managing _ secretary. In connection with the resignation of Mr D G. Macalister, engineer, it was decided, on the motion of Mr Howell, seconded by Mr McLean that the 'election of a successor should be left hi the hands of the chairman and the managing secretary. It was resolved on the motion of Mr Collis, seconded bv Mrs Abraham, that the board be recommended to grant Mr Macalister one month’s leave on full pay. The committee interviewed Mr Macalister, who has resigned to commence business in Palmerston North, and the chairman congratulated him on the satisfactory way in which he had carried out his duties during his term of office. The committee inspected the building works in progress and the staff quarters over the bulk store. It was decided that some of the trees between the main wards and the Maternity Home be left standing in the meantime and that the trees that are left standing be topped.—The report was adopted. REPORTS RECEIVED. The medical superintendent (Dr. F. Ward) reported that patients remaining in hospital on Au —* 31 numbered ISO. Thirteen had died during the month. There were 226 admissions during that month and 209 patients had been discharged. Thirteen scarlet fever and two diphtheria cases were admitted and seventeen remained in isolation at the end of the month. Twenty babies were born at the maternity home during August, while 42 mothers had attended the ante-natal clinic. There were ten mothers and ten babies in the home at the end of August. The matron (Miss McGhie) reported that the health of the staff had been satisfactory. There had been no staff changes. Nurse Bowden had. resigned her position of staff nurse. Nurses Baigent, Rhodes, Smith, Martin, Taylor and Thurston passed their examination in cooking. The following donations had been received: Picture pipers, the Cogs; violets, Feilding Borough Council; fruit, Salvation Army; books. Diana Abraham; magazines, Mr Swallow; cakes, flowers, toys, Mrs Falconer; magazines, Railway Department; flowers, magazines, ‘“Anonymous.” The Salvation Army had played, on the grounds and Leo the Great had given an entertainment to the patients..