Fullerton Hospital – Growing Demands on Denaby Institution

April 1931

Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 03 April 1931

Fullerton Hospital

Growing Demands on Denaby Institution.

The Doctors’ Pay.

On Monday, in the Large Hall, Denaby Main, Mr. B. Lawrence presided over the meeting of the governors and subscribers of the Fullerton Hospital, Denaby Main.

Mr. W. Still (treasurer) presented the financial statement. The principal items of income were: Donations, £558 14 10d.; Denaby and Cadeby Collieries, Ltd., £391 15s 9d, for coal, water, and light;  District Nursing Association, £91 16s; workpeople’s contributions £4,993 14s. ( of which £4415 12s 1d. was by employees of the Denaby and Cadeby Collieries); other contributions £156 6s. 8d., a total of £5,930 2s. 10d.

The total expenditure £5032 9s . 4d leaving a balance of £897 13s. 6d.

Mr. Still reported a reduction of the cost of treatment at Sheffield hospitals owing to more cases being treated at Denaby. They had been unable to repay any of the loan from the Colliery Company during the year, but since the end of the year they had repaid a further instalment of £1000 leaving £1,000 outstanding on the original loan of £6,000. He would point out that the hospital was expensive, and although it was run economically they were only lust able to hold their own, and further improvement would mean increased contributions.

And Dr. J. J. Huey presented the report of the medical staff. During the year there had been 400 in-patients (230 male, 63 female and 107 children), 1,932 out-patients, 173 major operations, 169 minor operations, 737 X-ray cases, and 56 maths at cases. There had been 18 deaths (four were dead on admission).

Col. A. 31. Connell (the hospital’s specialist surgeon) had held 226 consultations and performed 72 operations. Mr. Nutt, the ophthalmic surgeon, had 392 consultations and performed 20 operations. The hon. medical staff performed 141 operations. The district nurses made 662 midwifery visits, 772 visits, and gave 3,969 dressings. Dr. Huey said these figures would give some idea of the enormous amount of work done within the organisation of the hospital.

Mr. S. B. Johnson submitted a list of donors to the hospital during the year, and the meeting passed a hearty juts of thanks to all donors. The meeting was asked to endorse the appointment of trustees nominated by the management board. Certain subscribers desired more representation of the workmen, but it was explained that the arrangements were made according to the trust deeds, and finally the appointments were confirmed as follows:

The general manager of the Denaby end Cadeby Collieries, the Vicar of Denaby Main, and Messrs. H. Hulley, T.Hill, and G.H. Milnes.

The secretary (Mr. S. B. Johnson) reported that they had with regret received the resignation of Dr. King, of Conisboro’, and the board were dealing with the matter according to the rules of the Medical Service Fund.

The Secretary read a letter from the medical staff applying for an increase of ½ d. per week in the contribution to the medical service fund.

Dr. J. McArthur, stating the case of the medical staff, spoke of the increased work which came their way through the hospital and various other ways, said they had heard that a reduction of subscription to the medical service fund was being discussed. He quoted several Cases where the contribution was 4 ½ d. a week, and the doctors had no hospital work. That seemed to be the trade union rate, and he would ask them as trade unionists not to allow the doctors to work for less than trade union pay. (Laughter club.)

After same discussion, which caused much amusement both to doctor end subscribers, and when the doctors had been assured that they will be given due notice of any proposed reduction, the doctors unanimously withdrew their implication.

A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the meeting.