Committee meetings 1886-94

< Skip to previous volume of minutes

The following notes have been extracted from the Minutes of the Committee of Management 1886-94 held at the Dorset History Centre (NG/HH/DO(C)/1/2/7).

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

1886 continued

Thursday, 25 November 1886

  • Miss Twinning tendered her resignation with a donation of £10.
  • “The Committee accept Miss Twinning’s resignation with a feeling of deep regret, but decline the donation believing that her services during the last eight months have been a great gain to the hospital”.
  • It was agreed that a locum would act as matron until her term of office expired.

Thursday, 2 December 1886

  • Miss Robinson was accepted as Miss Twinning’s locum.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

1887

Thursday, 13 January 1887

  • The Committee recorded its sense of loss at the death of George Curme, consulting surgeon.

Thursday, 3 March 1887

  • Miss Sackett was appointed matron from among the applicants.
  • Appears that Miss Broshopp [?] had also acted as temporary matron.
  • The Committee agreed Miss Sackett’s request to start on 31 March.

Thursday, 7 April 1887

  • Letter received from Miss Sackett tendering her resignation. She agreed to reconsider.

Thursday, 14 April 1887

  • The following resolution was passed by 15 votes to 3: “The Matron is by Rule 89 made responsible subject to the direction of the Medical Officers and House Surgeon for the nursing of the patients and the administration of the prescribed diet & remedies. The Committee consider that she should be free access to the wards at all times, and especially that she should be entitled to accompany the medical officers when nurses are in attendance”.
  • It was agreed 15 votes to 3 that the resolution should be regarded as a bye-law.
  • It was ordered that the letter of Miss Sackett be entered in the minutes:

Gentleman,–Although I have been here but a short time I must ask you to please accept at your meeting to-day my resignation as Matron of the Dorset County Hospital. I am extremely sorry to put you to the inconvenience, but I trust you will think it is a serious matter for myself. I feel, in fairness to another Matron, I ought to draw your attention to the wording of the advertisement as it appeared in the Lancet, and cannot help saying it is misleading. The part to which I refer is “to superintend the nursing” (not nurses) and “comfortable (?) furnished apartments.” The latter, I admit, could be easily rectified, but the former (as far as I can understand) the Matron has never superintended. If any of the medical staff are present perhaps they will kindly say “whether I am correct or not”. The foregoing, added to the facts that the Hospital requires a great deal of re-organisation and improvement, has decided me in taking the step I have, and I can only hope that out of my misfortune good may come to others.

I am, Gentleman, Yours faithfully, Grace E. Sackett,

To the Chairman and gentleman of the Dorset County Hospital.

  • A vote of thanks was made to Miss Armistead “for her kindness in undertaking the duties of matron on the resignation of Miss Robinson”.
  • The Committee asked that Miss Sackett withdraw her resignation in light of their interpretation of Rule 89.

Thursday, 28 April 1887

  • An engraving of the Queen to mark her jubilee donated by Lady Theodora Gucot.

Thursday, 5 May 1887

  • “The Committee accept with much regret Miss Sackett’s resignation of the appointment of matron. They accept her offer to provide a locum tenens”.
  • Resolved “That a subcommittee be appointed to meet the medical staff in a friendly conference to try to secure a more harmonious working of the hospital & to report to the General Committee”.

Thursday, 26 May 1887

  • “The subcommittee appointed to meet the medical staff held a conference with them on Tuesday May 17th. All members being present except Mr. Mayo & Mr. Tudor. After full discussion there seemed to be a perfect agreement that the matron’s rights to supervise the nursing at all times is to be fully acknowledged and that provided the nurses were thoroughly efficient no objection would be raised by the medical staff as to the class from which they were taken”.
  • Note added at the end “In answer to a question the secretary of the subcommittee Mr. H. S. Williams said that Dr. Lush had handed to every member of the subcommittee a written statement of his views”.
  • Resolved “That Miss Humphreys be asked to meet the Committee with a view to being appointed Matron of the Hospital, on this day fortnight”.
  • A proposal to call each member of the medical staff before the Committee “to agree with them personally as to the future position of the Matron” was not carried.

Thursday, 9 June 1887

  • The following letter from Dr. Lush to Mr. H. S. Williams was read to the Committee:

May 30th 1887

Dear Sir

My attention has been directed to the report presented by you on behalf of the subcommittee who conferred with the medical staff on the 17th inst. The said report does not embody my opinion, a written copy of which I gave to each member of the subcommittee.

Yours faithfully

William Vawdrey Lush

Physician to the Hospital

  • Lush’s opinion was ordered to be filed [it is not in the minutes].
  • Miss Humphreys met with the Committee but declined the appointment of matron.
  • Mrs. Musgrave’s offer to remain for three months was accepted.

Thursday, 16 June 1887

  • A letter from Miss Tillett withdrawing her application for the post of matron was read by the Committee.

Thursday, 7 July 1887

  • The Committee recorded the death of John Floyer (one of the trustees).

Thursday, 14 July 1887

  • The application from Miss Fisher (who had been a nurse at the Hospital for four months) for a testimonial was granted.
  • “Mrs. Musgrave has permission to have her little boy on a visit of three weeks”.

Thursday, 4 August 1887

  • Mrs. Musgrave’s appointment extended for three months from 18 September 1887.
  • The house surgeon’s salary was increased by £10.

Thursday, 11 August 1887

  • Mr. Emson resigned as Honorary Surgeon.
  • Floyer had left a legacy of £100.
  • Testimonials given to Miss Lewis and Miss ?Macky (late nurses at the hospital).

Thursday, 1 September 1887

  • Mrs. Musgrave asked to be released on September 29th. The Committee agreed providing she finds a locum tenens.

Thursday, 13 September 1887

  • Applications were received from Mr. A. Emson, junr. and Mr. G. A. George for post of honorary surgeon.

Thursday, 22 September 1887

  • Special general meeting of the Governors – the Earl of Ilchester voted trustee in the place of the late John Floyer.
  • Mr. Emson senior voted consulting surgeon.
  • Election for honorary surgeon: Mr. George (476 votes), Mr. Emson (368 votes) – Mr. George elected by a majority of 108 votes.

Thursday, 29 September 1887

  • A letter was received from the Earl of Ilchester accepting the trusteeship of the hospital.
  • The house surgeon’s resignation (with three months’ notice) was received.

Thursday, 6 October 1887

  • The Committee withdrew board and lodgings from the chaplain with three months’ notice.
  • The death of Mr. Emson senior was announced.

Thursday, 12 October 1887

  • “Mr. Malden [the house surgeon] leaves today and will be succeeded by Mr. Glanville as Locum Tenens, the latter has been approved by the Medical Committee”.

Thursday, 3 November 1887

  • Letter received from chaplain Rev. E. C. Drury tendering his resignation.

Thursday, 1 December 1887

  • The Committee resolved to invite Miss M. A. Nicolay for interview for the post of matron.

Saturday, 10 December 1887

  • Miss M. A. Nicolay, late matron of the Newport Infirmary, presented herself to the Committee and was appointed matron at £60 a year.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

1888

Thursday, 5 January 1888

  • H. Everett withdrew his application for the post of chaplain (following the resignation of Rev. E. C. Drury).
  • A proposal to put the question of whether a chaplain was needed to a meeting of the governors was lost 14 votes to 6.
  • The Rev. R. C. Merriott was elected chaplain with effect from 6 February.
  • 25 applications were received for the post of house surgeon. The Committee unanimously elected Mr. Glanville.
  • “Miss Nicolay having communicated to the Committee her wish to have at all times free access to the wards, it was resolved that the resolutions passed with regard to this point, on April 14th 1887 be read to the Matron and the House Surgeon, which was done”.

Thursday, 16 February 1888

  • The matron reported that on Monday 13th Miss Nugent, a new head nurse in charge of the Male Ward, had refused to obey orders and had received notice to leave at once, which she refused to do unless her salary was paid for the month.
  • As the chairman and vice chairman were present that day they confirmed the Matron in her authority to dismiss the nurse but advised the Matron to pay Nugent her salary up to the 13th This she* refused to accept. [*It is unclear from the minutes whether it was Nugent or the Matron who refused to accept this.]
  • The Matron reported that she had recently dismissed the cook and the kitchenmaid had taken her place on trial.

Thursday, 1 March 1888

  • Lush read letters from Miss Nugent and her father regarding her dismissal. He moved that the month’s salary of £2.2. and railway fare be paid to Miss Nugent. The proposal received no support.
  • Referring to the resolution of 14 April 1887 regarding the role of the matron, the chairman made appeal to Dr. Lush to “act cordially in the spirit of that resolution”. Dr. Lush said he could not answer for the medical staff. Dr. Lush accepted the minute of 14 April 1887 as a by-law “but failed to give any definite promise as to his treatment of the Matron”.
  • The Committee adjourned until 15 March to put the question to each member of the Medical staff.

Thursday, 12 March 1888

  • Special Governors Meeting – the meeting revised the rules [the revisions are set out in detail in the minutes]

Thursday, 15 March 1888

  • “Mr. George signified that he should offer no opposition to the Matron’s presence either in the Wards or operating room, but should be pleased to see her”
  • “Mr. Good adhered to the opinion expressed by him in the Medical Committee and refused to accept the ruling of the 14th April 1887”
  • “Mr. Fisher cordially accepted the views of the Committee and thought that the position of the Matron as settled by the Committee was a right one”
  • A letter was read from Dr. Lush [not in the minutes]
  • The matron gave an account of the difficulties she had faced as head of the nursing department.
  • A letter to be sent to each of the Medical Staff asking them to comply with the 14 April 1887 resolution.

Thursday, 5 April 1888

  • A letter was received from Miss Mackie complaining of the matron’s conduct towards her; the Committee investigated and as a result Miss Mackie was dismissed.
  • Similarly a complaint was received from Miss Burrows, who was also dismissed as a result.
  • A letter was received from Miss Nicolay complaining of the house surgeon’s conduct and tendering her resignation. Mr. Glanville (the house surgeon) similarly complained of the matron’s behaviour. The Committee agreed to remove him because of the unsatisfactory relationship between him and the matron, and because of the letter he had written to Miss Nicolay before she took up post [the minutes of 19 April 1888 reveal that this letter was dated 1 March 1887]
  • It was agreed to adjourn the meeting until 19 April, the business of which would be the dismissal of the house surgeon and letters to Dr. Lush and Mr. Good requesting them to resign.

Thursday, 12 April 1888

  • Mr. George having brought before the Committee the want of a temporary surgical nurse to enable him to carry out a serious surgical operation, the matron was requested to find one.

Thursday, 19 April 1888

  • The clerk applied for an increase to his salary. A decision was deferred.
  • The resolution that the house surgeon be requested to resign was carried by 13 votes to 3. Similarly that Mr. Good be asked to resign, carried by 17 to 2, and that Dr. Lush be asked to resign by 16 to 3.  Good and Lush were asked to respond by 25 April 1888.
  • It was further resolved (by 11 to 6) to ask the matron to withdraw her resignation.

Thursday, 26 April 1888

  • Lord Digby resigned as president of the hospital.
  • Mr. Glanville, the house surgeon, refused to give an answer to the request that he resign. He was dismissed on a vote of the Committee 14 to 5, and given three months notice.
  • In advertising the post, the Committee agreed the house surgeon would no longer act as secretary.
  • Letters were received from Dr. Lush and Mr. Good refusing to resign.
  • It was agreed that a special governors’ meeting be called for 9 May (carried by 14 votes to 3).

Thursday, 3 May 1888

  • On 26 April Mr. Glanville, the house surgeon, left the hospital during the night. Mr. Williams was informed on 27 April, and he and Major Clapcott went to see Glanville at the Kings Arms Hotel. Glanville said he had no intention of returning.
  • The chairman telegraphed London for a locum and Mr. Shackleton arrived that evening (for 3 guineas a week and travelling expenses).
  • A letter was received from the matron:
    • She had employed 3 nurses to replace those who had left
    • Night Nurse Bartlett had a relapse of rheumatism and was assigned to a ward; a nurse from Bournemouth had been engaged to replace her
    • She also sought agreement to employ Mrs. Foster as an extra nurse when needed.

Wednesday, 9 May 1888

  • Special governors’ meeting to resolve the dispute over the matron’s role. The meeting lasted 5 hours.
  • Motion by Canon Smith in favour of the doctors and declining to support the actions of the Management Committee (For 152, Against 170)
  • Motion by Kindersley: “That the persistent refusal of the two medical officers Dr. Lush and Mr. Good to comply with the interpretation of the Committee on Rule 89 of the old code amounts to misconduct under Rule 54 and that the Governors do therefore remove them from their respective offices of Physician and Surgeon of the Dorset County Hospital”.
  • Motion amended by R. Williams that the Governors interpret Rule 98 to mean “That the matron be entitled to accompany the Medical Officers when nurses are in attendance and that with this interpretation it is necessary the matron should be a trained nurse”.
  • “Dr. Lush and Mr. Good having admitted that they would be bound by the decision of the governors the amendment was put”. Carried 63 to 26.
  • At the end of the minutes of this meeting the following note was entered: “I protest against the correctness of the above minutes which were signed without being read, William Vawdrey Lush”.

Thursday, 10 May 1888

  • Shackleton, the locum, was sent by the Scholastic and Medical Association.
  • Letter received from Mr. Byron Johnson threatening legal action regarding the dismissal of former house surgeon Glanville, unless the terms in the letter were met. Discussion of the letter was deferred to a special meeting on 17 May.
  • A request that the nurses be paid an allowance for the cost of their capes was rejected.

Thursday, 17 May 1888

  • The Committee heard details of the death of a child, Tom Woodford, with witness statements from Nurse Johnson and Nurse Francis. The house surgeon (Shackleton) said “I consider that the nurses were to blame for not calling me immediately”.
  • The matron’s post to be advertised stipulating that the matron must be a trained nurse.
  • Applications for the post of house surgeon were referred to the medical committee for recommendations.

Thursday, 24 May 1888

  • The locum house surgeon, Shackleton, was recommended by the medical committee.
  • Shackleton was appointed only after he agreed with rule 89 and the motion of the meeting on 9 May regarding the role of the matron.
  • The Committee agreed to pay Glanville, the dismissed house surgeon, £5 14. 0. salary owing to him and to give him a positive testimonial.
  • An order was made to pay £3 3. 0. to the Victoria Home Bournemouth for an extra nurse for 3 weeks.

Thursday, 10 May 1888

  • Patient Alice Hardy was discharged 3 weeks ago but she was still in hospital. (See entries on 17 May and 24 May.) She was orphan and the Committee tried to find someone to take her. Her uncle (George English of Minterne) refused. On 31 May 1888 the Committee continued to try to find someone to take her.

Thursday, 17 May 1888

  • [Page 140] An electric bell is to be fitted to the Committee room.
  • [Page 142] A “speaking tube” is to be fitted between the surgeons’ room and the dispensary.

Thursday, 7 June 1888

  • Alice Hardy to leave hospital and apply for admission to the workhouse.

Thursday, 14 June 1888

  • Four applicants for the post of matron were interviewed. Miss Lawrence from West Kent Hospital was elected.

Thursday, 5 July 1888

  • As the house surgeon was no longer secretary (which was decided at the meeting on 26 April 1888), the clerk’s work had increased. His salary to be raised from £5 to £7 10. 0. per quarter to date from his application on 8 April. A proposal that the clerk should write the weekly minutes was rejected.
  • There had been a report in Dorset County Chronicle about a child of 18 months with burns sent from Frome St. Quinton to Salisbury Infirmary because it was thought that Dorset County Hospital would not admit a child. The chairman to write to the editor to set the record straight.
  • [Page 155] The Committee decided that the hospital should no longer pay for the clocks to be wound – the porter to do it.

Thursday, 6 September 1888

  • Shackleton did not consider it likely that Ann Bartlett would be capable of carrying out her duties as night nurse due to her rheumatism. The Committee decided to give her a month’s notice to leave.

Thursday, 20 September 1888

  • Shackleton reported that “nurse Bartlett would be admitted to the Bath Hospital on Tuesday next”.

Thursday, 4 October 1888

  • [Page 171] A speaking tube was requested to run from the out-patients room to the dispensary. The meeting on 1 November 1888 agreed the request [page 176].

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

1889

Thursday, 3 January 1889

  • [Page 188] A letter from the medical committee advised that gas lighting be installed in the operating theatre.

Thursday, 7 February 1889

  • Annual General Meeting – Lord Eldon elected president.

Thursday, 4 April 1889

The committee of the Chrysanthemum Show had donated an invalid wheel and carrying chair.

Thursday, 9 May 1889

  • The Committee congratulated Dr. Lush on becoming a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians.
  • The porter was awarded £1 for the “admirable manner in which he keeps the flower beds and approaches to the Hospital”.
  • [Page 214] The lighting of the operating room was completed. The Committee also discussed the use of the town fire escape at the hospital.

Thursday, 30 May 1889

  • “Bessie Pringe of Stratton (ticket given by Friendly Societies Collection) was refused admittance – Her father keeps a Dairy of 36 Cows from which it would appear that he could afford to have a doctor to attend his daughter – A letter was sent to Mr. Lowe who signed the ticket”.

Thursday, 6 June 1889

  • [Page 220] The operating room lamp to be lowered and moved to the centre of the room.

Thursday, 11 July 1889

  • Agreed that Miss Galaxy would cover for four weeks for Miss Lawrence who was on leave.

Thursday, 1 August 1889

  • The house surgeon’s pay was increased by £10 with effect from 1 July.

Thursday, 31 October 1889

  • Agreed that Miss Carpenter would cover for the matron during her leave.

Thursday, 7 November 1889

  • The matrons salary was raised to £60 with effect from 1 October.
  • A patient named Lawson had died in the hospital – a sovereign belonging to her to be put towards the cost of the funeral and her effects to be disposed of.

Thursday, 5 December 1889

  • Patient Henry Barter complained about the cooking. The Committee found that the complaints were “unimportant”.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

1890

Thursday, 2 January 1890

  • [Page 256] Further mention of the Chrysanthemum Committee’s invalid chair (see minute of 4 April 1889).

Thursday, 15 May 1890

  • A case of typhoid fever has broken out in the South Small Ward.

Thursday, 5 June 1890

  • The Committee refused to admit as an out-patient Thomas Forse, the keeper of the Greyhound Public House. He was recommended by Mr. E. Burnett.

Thursday, 12 June 1890

  • A complaint was received from Mr. Eldon Bankes on behalf of Joseph Cattle who last week was refused measurement for a new wooden leg. Apology to be sent to Mr. Bankes and the man’s expenses would be paid for a second trip to the hospital.

Thursday, 3 July 1890

  • Robert Williams (trustee) has died.

Thursday, 17 July 1890

  • Special governors’ meeting – Robert Williams’ son Robert appointed trustee.

Thursday, 28 August 1890

  • Complaints received from male patients that they were being disturbed by the nurses making noises in the early mornings bringing water onto the wards for washing.

Thursday, 18 September 1890

  • Complaints received from the male patients about a lack of food.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

1891

Thursday, 5 February 1891

  • The Committee accepted the resignation of the house surgeon, Mr. Shackleton. They agreed to Mr. Viret (supplied by the Scholastic and Medical Association) acting as locum.
  • Governors’ annual general meeting – the hospital was reaching its jubilee. The original house surgeon (Mr. John Good), the original matron (Mrs. Elizabeth [sic] Wood) and the original chaplain (Rev. Cole) were still alive.

Thursday, 19 February 1891

  • The Medical Committee recommended Mr. Viret for the post of house surgeon. The Management Committee accepted this recommendation.

Thursday, 26 March 1891

  • The Committee called the matron’s attention to the “Collection of dirty bandages and neglect of proper cleanliness in the closets and lavatories at the end of the long wards”.
  • “The Committee on investigation consider that there is so much evidence of neglect of cleanliness”.

Thursday, 2 April 1891

  • Mr. Fisher resigned as surgeon. The Committee received a letter from the Medical Committee advising that Mr. Fisher’s vacancy should not be filled.

Thursday, 7 May 1891

  • Special general meeting of the governors – Mr. Fisher had asked to withdraw his resignation, which was accepted (Dr. Lush objected to the the hospital accepting Mr. Fisher’s withdrawal).
  • The average number of cases Mr. Fisher had was between 7 and 8 a week; Mr. Fisher had performed two operations, Mr. George 10 and Mr. Good 15. [It is unclear if these figures relate to a calendar year or just to the current year to May 1891.]

Thursday, 4 June 1891

  • There was a complaint from the neighbours about the smell caused by the burning of the poultices.

Thursday, 15 October 1891

  • The matron asked whether a young relative of hers, aged 22, “who intends to enter a Hospital as nurse might come here until Christmas to gain an insight into Hospital nursing”. The matron to pay 15s. a week and to pay for her washing. The Committee deferred their decision.

Thursday, 5 November 1891

  • The Committee discussed the charges to be paid by nurse probationers and by visitors to hospital officers.

Thursday, 3 December 1891

  • It had come to the Committee’s notice that Nurse Oxley was subject to epileptic fits. The matron was instructed to give her a month’s notice to quit.

Thursday, 10 December 1891

  • £500 was bequeathed by Miss Chafyn Grove of Zeals.

Thursday, 24 December 1891

  • Nurse Machin having informed the Committee of her wish to resign, her resignation was accepted.

Thursday, 31 December 1891

  • Applications for the post of house surgeon were referred to the Medical Committee for their views.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

1892

Thursday, 7 January 1892

  • The Committee received Miss Lawrence’s resignation. “It was resolved that the Chairman inform Dr. Lush that the Matron has resigned and that the Committee fund that to some extent the resignation of the Matron is due to her considering that Dr. Lush has interfered in the domestic as apart from the Medical management of the Hospital, and the Committee trust that in future Dr. Lush will do his utmost to promote the smooth running of the Hospital”[Note in margin: “This resolution was cancelled on 3rd March 1891” – the year should be 1892].
  • The clerk was requested to prepare a list of the past and present honorary physicians and surgeons, to be hung in the Committee room.

Thursday, 14 January 1892

  • Monthly meeting – Mr A. W. Allan of Charing Cross Hospital was selected as house surgeon.

Thursday, 4 February 1892

  • The deaths of Mr. H. Durden (one of the Financial Secretaries) and Mr. Good were recorded by the Committee.

Thursday, 3 March 1892

  • The resolution regarding Dr. Lush and the Matron was cancelled [no discussion was recorded in the minutes].
  • The matron was asked to withdraw her resignation, which she did.

Thursday, 7 April 1892

  • Mr. Williams’ gift of an east window in the chapel, in memory of his father, was accepted.
  • It was agreed that the names of legators since 1886 be added to the panelled list.
  • The Committee asked the chairman to thank Mr. and Mrs. Albert Barnes for the “beautiful copy” of the portrait of the Rt. Hon. George Bankes hanging in the lower ward of the Bankes Wing.

Thurday, 5 May 1892

  • The matron said that clergymen visiting patients were bringing their wives. The Committee confirmed that wives were not included in the rules allowing the visits of clergy.

Thursday, 2 June 1892

  • It was agreed that the names of the physicians and surgeons should be painted on the panel near the door on the east of the Committee room.
  • Colonel R. Williams was asked to supply a portrait of his late father to hang in the Committee room.

Thursday, 9 June 1892

  • A letter from the matron proposed to place Nurse Davies as Head Nurse in the Male Wards. At 26 years of age the Committee considered her “too young for the duties of Head Nurse”. Head nurses must not be under 30 years of age, if possible.

Thursday, 16 June 1892

  • Patient Robert Alger had been admitted by the house surgeon without a ticket. He was “on the tramp”. He was admitted for scalding and aggravation through walking. The Committee ordered that he be discharged and recommended he apply to the Union.

Thursday, 7 July 1892

  • It was agreed that no head nurse should be under 30, or assistant nurse under 25 or probationer under 23.

Thursday, 4 August 1892

  • “It was resolved that it was not consistent with the requirements of the Hospital that the House Surgeon receive leave of absence for cricketing purposes”.

Thursday, 18 August 1892

  • Patient Kate Rose had been in the hospital for 3 weeks without being seen by a medical officer other than the house surgeon.

Thursday, 1 September 1892

  • Dr. Lush and Mr. Good complained of the house surgeon’s want of respect to the honorary medical officers when in the wards, and also of his too frequent absences from the hospital. The house surgeon was reprimanded by the Committee.

Thursday, 6 October 1892

  • The dispenser’s salary was increased from £70 to £80 per annum.

Thursday, 3 November 1892

  • Two new by-laws regarding the house surgeon were agreed by the Committee.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

1893

Thursday, 5 January 1893

  • The Committee accepted the house surgeon’s resignation.

Thursday, 3 February 1893

  • Annual general meeting of governors – it was proposed that the hospital set up a dental department.

Thursday, 2 March 1893

  • House surgeon applicants Messrs. Rudd, Mole and Roberts were invited for interview.
  • It was resolved to call a meeting of the governors to decide if an honorary dental surgeon and dental department was needed. Dr. Lush opposed, his colleague Mr. Fisher was in favour.

Thursday, 16 March 1893

  • House surgeon vacancy – Dr. Roberts and Dr. Rudd attended for interview. Dr. Roberts having gone round the hospital withdrew his application. Dr. Rudd was elected house surgeon.

Thursday, 30 March 1893

  • “It being reported that the daughter of Thomas Snook had surreptitiously introduced spirits to him, the Committee ordered that she be refused admittance in future”.

Thursday, 6 April 1893

  • The restriction on letting Thomas Snook’s daughter into the hospital was lifted with effect from 20 April.
  • Special general meeting of the governors to discuss appointing an honorary dental surgeon. Votes against 20, votes for 18 – lost by 2 votes.
  • The arguments against were: cost; it would only benefit Dorchester residents; an honorary dentist would not have the time to do it properly; there was already provision for extractions (the dispenser was a registered dentist).

Thursday, 4 May 1893

  • “The Matron having complained of the House Surgeon’s objection to her presence when making his rounds in the Wards, his attention was called to the resolution of the General Meeting on the subject dated May 9th 1888. He accepted the ruling.”
  • Nurses to be made to pay for unblocking the lavatory in one of the wards because tow, bandages, etc. had been flushed down the loo.

 Thursday, 1 June 1893

  • A complaint was received from the coroner that Mr. Good and the house surgeon had carried out a post mortem on the body of John Croft Staple without a coroner’s order. The Committee replied that it was a misunderstanding and that the house surgeon thought he had the coroner’s permission.

Thursday, 8 June 1893

  • The clerk reported that the head nurse in the female ward had paid him the cost of unblocking the water closet.

Thursday, 3 August 1893

  • Miss Lawrence’s resignation was received – permission was granted for her to leave early if she supplied a locum matron.
  • The Dorset County Chronicle reported a proposal by the Blandford Board of Guardians to cut back their subscription to Dorset County Hospital. The chairman to write to the Board to protest against the proposed reduction.

Thursday, 10 August 1893

  • Miss Baker from Addenbrookes Hospital to be locum matron.

Thursday, 31 August 1893

  • Miss Baker complained that night nurse Hamer in the male ward was unfit for her work in surgical cases. Hamer was given a month’s notice.

Thursday, 7 September 1893

  • The house surgeon asked for a fortnight’s holiday so he could attend the examination for the grade of M.D. and that the hospital pay for his locum.
  • Leave was granted and he was allowed 5 guineas for the locum.
  • Testimonials for the matronship were received: the Committee recommended Miss Mary Baker (the current locum matron). If she was not elected then Miss Ward and Miss Smith should be invited for interview.
  • [Page 575] A probationer was accepted on the basis that she pay “one shilling per day for her board for the first 6 months, one shilling and sixpence a week for her washing while here and that her age be not less than 23”.

Thursday, 5 October 1893

  • Candidates for the election of matron:

– Miss Mary Baker

– Miss Adah Smith

– Miss Frances Ward

Miss Ward was elected 8 to 3 votes.

Thursday, 12 October 1893

  • A complaint was received from the neighbours regarding the barking of a dog kept at the hospital. The house surgeon undertook to get rid of it.

Thursday, 2 November 1893

  • It was resolved that no dogs should be kept on the premises.

Thursday, 9 November 1893

  • Nurse Filliter applied for 3 weeks salary as she had left the hospital due to ill health.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

1894

Thursday, 4 January 1894

  • The Committee received the house surgeon’s resignation.
  • Resolved that there should be 4 assistant nurses working night and day duty (alternating each month), to be paid £20 per annum rising to £25 per annum, in £1 annual increases if they give satisfaction.

Thursday, 25 January 1894

  • The house surgeon was instructed to test the milk once a week with the Lactometer and Creamometer.
  • Mr. Bartlett was elected house surgeon.

Thursday, 1 February 1894

  • Resolved “No person shall be employed as either Head or Assistant Nurse unless she produce certificates of having undergone two years consecutive training at an approved Hospital”.

Thursday, 29 March 1894

  • [Page 551] Complaints – unspecified – made by Jessie Cousins and Benjamin Lawrence were examined: “it appeared they had been treated with extra consideration and that no blame attached to the Officers of the Institution”.

Thursday, 3 May 1894

  • Clerk to write to the Chief Constable informing him that the hospital is not a public mortuary; the police should not have bought a dead body to the hospital.

Thursday, 17 May 1894

  • House surgeon Mr. Bartlett resigned.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Skip to next volume of minutes >