NELSON HOSPITAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 8 January 1931, Page 3

NELSON HOSPITAL

BOARD’S MONTHLY MEETING

ANNUAL CONFERENCE AT TIMARU REPORTS At the monthly meeting of the Nelson Hospital Board yesterday afternoon there were present Mr F. YV. 0. Smith (chairman), Mesdames Watson and Moffatt, Messrs 11. Tunnieliffe, T. Hewetson, G. Macmahon, and Major Dagger. Mr Page was granted leave of absence, lie forwarded a message wishing members a prosperous and happy New Year. Season’s greetings were received from (lie Wellington Hospital Board, the president of the Hospital Boards’ Association, and Mrs Stallworthy. The messages had been reciprocated by the secretary. Accounts amounting to £2527 6s lid were passed for payment. The report of the Town Committee was received.

The medical superintendent, Dr. F. Hudson reported that 107 patients were admitted during the month, and 100 discharged, leaving 73 in the institution. Operations numbered 62, X-ray attendances 48, pathological investigations 33, massage treatments 101, outpatients attendances 253, maternity confinements 13.

The resignation of Nurse Buttress from her position at the Motueka Cottage Hospital, on account of illness in her family, was received. The chairman said it was regretted that the Board was to lose the services of Nurse Buttress and the resignation was accepted with regret. The Board’s appreciation of her services is to be forwarded. Matron Brown was granted an extra three weeks holiday without pay. The chairman remarked that there had not been a single examination failure by the nurses during the ten years Matron Brown has been with the Board.

The Relieving Officer, Mr H. Kidson, reported that £3l 15s Od had been spent on fuel and rations during December, fourteen families being assisted. There are at present 9 cases at the Motueka Cottage Hospital. There are 23 inmates in the Alexandra Home. The Master, Mr A. Hunter, reported that all inmates are in good health and appreciated the Christmas gifts. ° Arising out of the report of the Department of Health engineer it was decided to ask the Medical Superintendent to arrange for a lecture to the nursing staff on the working of the hospital steam plant, with a view to effecting an economy. The matter of capital expenditure on the boiler plant was held over until after 31st March. . The Minister of Health notified that as the amount put aside for subsidies on voluntary donations to Hospital Boards had been exhausted no subsidies would be paid above the amount put oil any Board’s estimate. The Chairman and Secretary (Mr H. Chapman), were appointed to represent Nelson at the Hospital Board’s conference to be held at Timaru on 4tli March. Mr llcwetson expressed the opinion that the rates for hospitals should be collected by a tax similar to the Unemployment tax. By that means many who receive benefit from the hospitals would have to contribute towards the upkeep of the institutions. The secretary- of the Wellington Free Ambulance forwarded details of the cost of an ambulance service in Nelson district, similar to Wellington’s. It was pointed out b,y the secretary that last year the. Nelson hospital had its ambulance 1 service (two vehicles) and carting done for £3OO (including wages, petrol and maintenance). It was decided to thank the secretary of the Wellington ambulance for his information and state that Nelson’s service as at present arranged, was not expensive.