Mexborough and Swinton Times February 4, 1922
Fullerton Hospital
Flourishing in Spite of Bad Times
The Medical Fund: No Reduction of Contribution
There was a particularly good attendance at the annual meeting of the Fullerton Hospital, Denaby Main, held on Monday.
Mr R.B. Gethin presided, and there was also present Mr H Hulley, Treasury; Mr S.R. Johnson, secretary, Mr G.H.Milnes, trustee; and Doctor McArthur, McClure and Huey.
Mr H Hulley read the financial statement. The year began with a credit balance of £247 4s 6d. The income was £3137 5s 5d. The special donations were: Denaby and Cadeby Collieries, for coal, gas and water and £172 4s, contributions from workmen at collieries £2,473 12 2d. The expenditure was £2899 16 6d.
Mr Fuller said he thought there was no hospital in the country better looked after by the workmen.
Mr Tom Hill was informed that the railway shares held were New South Wales, middling, great Northern, India and great Western stop. The amount invested being between £800 and £900.
The Treasurer reported that the recommends given during the year were: Royal Infirmary 57, Jessop’s Hospital 30, and Edgar Allan institution 16. They were now informed that the Sheffield Royal Hospital and infirmary, owing to their serious financial position, quality patients at a charge of 35 shillings per week. It was for that meeting to decide if they could afford to send patients on those terms.
Mr T Hill said it was necessary to send some patients to Sheffield.
Doctor McArthur said patients often asked to be sent away, and it was quite right too if they wanted further advice.
Eventually the following resolution was passed:
“that we allow our doctors take any case for operations they can perform into our own institution, and, if it is necessary, send them to Sheffield. We are responsible in those cases for the charge incurred for maintenance.”
Doctor McArthur gave the medical report. During the year there were 60 inpatients and 323 outpatient; 72 operations were performed. There were an increase of four inpatients and 138 outpatients. The district nurses and attended 232 general case, and 65 maternity cases and had made 4890 visits.
The officers elected were: Mr S.R. Johnson secretary; Mr H Hulley, treasurer; Messrs JH Davies and W Astbury, auditors; Committee: Cadeby underground, Mrs a Lawrence W Wilkinson and J Brannan; Cadeby surface, Messrs F Ward and W Collindridge; Denaby Underground, Mrs T Betteridge, RB Gethin and E Cheshire; Denaby Surface, Mr A Ackroyd was re-elected.
With regard to the pit of the doctors under the family medical benefit scheme, the secretary and receive communication from the Denaby Surface Workers in the Denaby Branch of the Yorkshire Miners Association, asking for a reduction in the contributions.
Mr J Brannan suggested that this matter should be adjourned for further discussion. Mr B Hadfield said it was proper to discuss it at that meeting.
Mr Houlbrooke’s stated that the miners had suffered a great reduction in wages, and yet their stoppages were very large. It was natural they would look to see where they could make a cut and he thought it was time they also a reduction in stoppages. He suggested that the doctors waited be worked on a percentage principle as the workers wages were reduced so also should doctors remuneration be reduced. He recognises splendid services of the doctors, but he should move they had a reduction, making the contributions 3 ½ p per week
Mr Houlbrooke’s proposition found no supporter.
Mr R.B.Gethin said he did not like the idea that when ones wages fell they should look round to see how someone else’s could be brought down. He did not think they knew or realise all the benefits obtainable under the scheme.
Mr T Hill asked what happened to the money that was stopped each week as “fines,” at the colliery for breach of rules? He suggested that a committee be formed at that meeting with a view to annexing these fines to the Fullerton Hospital funds.
This suggests a found favour and a committee was appointed.
A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the Denaby and Cadeby Collieries Ltd, for their gift at all subscribers and especially to the workmen, and to the chairman, Mr R.B.Gehin.