GEELONG INFIRMARY R-AKD- Benevolent Asylum (INCORPORATED)
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4^3^== §<3 " " ft© ... THE ... , 'I Fiftp=$eixntb Report * OF TBl% COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT OF THE GEELONG INFIRMARY r-AKD- Benevolent Asylum (INCORPORATED) WITH THE Financial Statement, List of Subscriptions, Donations, . '•• AND •••••• Statistical Table of Cases treated during the Twelve months ended June 30th, 1909. Geelong: HSNWOOD & DANCEY, PRINTERS, RYRIB STREET, . lOOO. OFFICE-BEARERS FOR 1909-1910. president: G. MARTIN, ESQ. Wice=fl>resioents-. J. NICOL, ESQ. C. SHANNON, ESQ. Don. treasurer: JAMES SMITH, ESQ. General Committee: REV. J. FORREST. i ENGLAND, G., ESQ. RKV. E. HARRIS. | HIGGINS, W., ESQ. RHV. A. POWELL. ! 'HUMBLE, W., ESQ. RKV. F. W. A. NEWTON. ! JULLIEN, E. L-, ESQ. BRADLEY, W. W., ESQ. KERNOT, W. C, ESQ. BROWN, H. BLOMFIELD, ESQ. LEARY, F. J., ESQ. COLLIER, A., ESQ. PURDIE, J., ESQ. DICKSON, T. A., ESQ. PHILPOTT, E-, ESQ. DOYLE, J. P. McCABE, ESQ. SMALL, DR. J. Tbouse Committee: HUMBLE, W., ESQ. , SMALL, DR. J. NICOL, J., ESQ., Vice-President. j . SHANNON, CHAS., ESQ., Vice-Pies. PURDIE, J., ESQ. finance Committee: BROWN, H. BLOMFIELD, ESQ. COLLIER, A., ESQ. BRADLEY, W. W.., ESQ. HIGGINS, W., ESQ. LEARY, F. J., ESQ. Ibonorarg Consulting xT&cotcal ©fticers: CROKER, P. A., ESQ., M.B., CH.M. SMALL, J., ESQ.. F.R.C.S., ED. iftonorarg /T&eoical ©fticers: KENNEDY, T. J. M.. ESQ., M.B., CH.B. MCCALLUM, G., ESQ., M.D. MARWOOD, A. W., ESQ., L.R.C.S., P.ED., L.F.P.S.O NEWMAN, F. J., ESQ, M.B., CH.B. loon, anaesthetist: ifton. Sftlagrapbist; McPHEE, R. G., ESQ., M.B., B.S. ELVINS,, H. F. H , ESQ , M.B., CH.B. Secretary, Superintenoent, ano IBouse Stewaro: A. J. REILLY. TResioent Surgeon: Dispenser ano assistant Douse Steward DOWRNING, H. D., M.B., B.S. S. MOLLOY. /irbatron: "Ibon. Solicitor: MISS J. W. DAVIDSON. W. HIGGINS. ESQ. Huoitors: Collector: MKSSRS. E. BECHERVAISE BND A. J. YOUNG. WM, II. HUDSON geelong Infiiipg 0 Benevolent Rsylum (INCORPORATED). FIFTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT of the General Committee of Management. HE Board of Managers of the Geelong Infirmary and Benevolent Asylum have the honor to submit for the information of the Governors, Subscribers, and the general public their Fifty-seventh Annual Report of the condition and progress "of the Institution for the year ending 30th June, 1909, together with the audited Balance Sheet, and a synopsis of the Finances. The year has been a busy one all round, both the medical and surgical Wards having teen nearly full all the time, iu addition to the Infectious Wards, which have amply justified the expense of building. Typhoid fever was not very prevalent, only 36 patients being admitted. The total number of patients passing through the Institution was 2,004. 0' these 1,036 were admitted to the wards. Out-Door Patients.—Number admitted—Males, 4S5 ; Females, 4S3. Total, 968. Number of occasions on which they attended, 5,134. The average Rate of Mortality has been 10.3 for all cases, 7.7 for Hospital In-Door Patients. Ten deaths occurred within twenty-four hours of admission, which were hopeless from the first. The total number remaining in the Institution on the 30th June, 1909, was 132. Infectious Wards.—These have never been empty during the last twelve months, and have amply justified their being built. Seventy-four cases of Diphtheria have been admitted, and 2 of Scarlet Fever. It speaks well for the treatment, when we are able to report that no deaths occurred. Forty-nine were received from Geelong, 11 from Belmont, 4 West Geelong, and the remainder from Chilwell and Newtown. There are remaining at present, and under treatment. 7 cases. Thirty-six Typhoids were also admitted to the general wards, as owing to the Infectious Hospital being occupied with so many Diphtheria patients, it was impossible to treat them there, and although the Central Board of Health considers that Typhoids should be kept away from other non-infectious diseases, it was not possible to do so. One nurse contracted the disease and was away for some months. One also caught Diphtheria. Maternity Wards.—It is proposed by your Committee to go into the question of whether it is advisable to utilise some portion of the present Hospital for Maternity Wards for the reception of urgent and suitable cases. Probably something definite will be done in this direction during the coming year. One of the most likely proposals being, to turn six of the nurses' bedrooms, in the main building, into lying-in rooms, and to erect a like number of new bedrooms at or adjoining the present Nurses', Home. This would enable all the nurses to sleep away from the Hospital, and be very beneficial for them in many ways. Resolutions will be sub• mitted at the forthcoming Annual Meeting to empower the Committee to carry out this proposal. It is probable that an effort will shortty be made to raise the money to do so. The cost would be about ^Soo, and we feel sure that the many wealthy residents of the town and district will help for such an estini-ible object. The amount to credit of Endowment Fund is ^"5,167 2s. 6d., and of the Reserve Fund, ,£4,049 ros. The Endowment Fund has been increased by further instalments from the Estate of the late Mr. J. Thompson, of Keilambete, amounting to £Soj 7s. The Reserve Fund i= augmented by .£500, being sundry bequests during the year; together with ,£100, part endowment of the Comunn Na Feinne Bed. The Government Grant was ,£2,500. Visitors' Monthly Report.—Two members of the General Committee have, each month, heen appointed during the year, to inspect the Institution. Their visits were made at un• expected times. The reports received from them were always of a satisfactory nature, and call for no comment. Financial and General.—The revenue for the past year has been well maintained. Included in the payments received, on account of patients, is the sum of .£229 2s. fd., which various Councils or patients have paid on account of their residents treated in the Infectious Wards. 4 The daily average has been 144 occupied beds, which is less than last year. But »h- reduction in numbers has occurred on the Benevolent Asylum side, the Hospital patients beini- slightly more. The average cost per bed was ^,'38 9s. gd., which is ^6 'more than last year It is principally accounted for by the extra, cost of working the Infectious Wards, which HAS necessitated an increase in the Nursing Staff of six. These wards, while very necessary, at? also a considerable extra expense to work. It must be remembered, however, that the Institution is paid either by the Councils, or the patients £2 per week per case. This JS an extremely reasonable charge for these patients—£2 9s. is what the Melbourne Infectious Wards receive. Among other causes that have helped to swell the average cost are increased price of milk, and a rather large increase occurs under the headings—bedding, clothing, &c. drugs, disinfectants and dressings, and Nurses' salaries. These all show a marked advance- and have militated against our credit balance at the bank. The receipts for maintenance were • ,£5,673, and the expenses of maintenance ^5,544. The income, therefore, was just sufficient to keep us out of debt. A proposal is also to be brought before the Annual Meeting of Subscribers, to give contributors of 10s. or upwards, the privilege of having Two Out-Patients' tickets annually. At present they do not get anything. " : The Institution is being kept thoroughly up-to-date with regard to its work, and patients frequently seek admission from other centres, giving us their reason that they hear such good reports of the treatment received here, &c. As a training-school also it bears a gori name, eager candidates for admission to the school coming from all parts of Victoria. The building itself is very old, and costly to keep in repair ; nevertheless, the result obtained, both on the surgical and medical side, are quite on a par with more modern Hospitals Sooner or later the question of re-building will have to be squarely faced ; but the time is 110: yet. Hospital Saturday aud Sunday.—,£366 10s. Sd. was collected, which your Committee regrets shows a falling off of ,£30 on the previous year's receipts. It is sincerely hoped thai the leeway will be made up this year. Included in the above is an amount of ,£32, collected in the town on Saturday by Nurses, Mrs. M. Bean, and the Salvation Army. To all these ladies your Committee's thanks are conveyed. Messrs. Dennys, Lascelles, Austin & Co., Dalgety & Co., T. Everett aud T. Bostock lent their motor cars and chauffeurs on the occasion to convey the collectors to their several rendezvous. They are hereby sincerely thanked for their kindness. A special effort was made to enlist the assistance of some ot the ladies of the town to help our nurse collectors, aud a public meeting was called by advertisement. It is with regret we have to report that only two ladies offered their services. Entertainments in Aid.—Nothing has been received under this heading during the past twelve months. It is hoped that more interest will be shown by the many talented amateurs in the town and district during the coming year. The aid received in this direction is very weak. Special donations have been received from the Edward -Wilson Ar»m Fund, ,£50 ; Felton Bequest Committee, ,£95; Australian Natives' Conference (Geelong), £10 10s. ; Collection, Farmers' Convention, July 1908, £1 2$ Sd. Bequests.—The following have been received from the Estates of deceased benefactors:— Estate late Mr.