Board of Management Minutes: May 1885 – Jul 1894 NHNN/A/4/4
The Secretary-Director made a statement in reference to a question arising out of the matter just dealt with [outpatients’ contributions]. It was to the effect that at a combined meeting of the House and Medical Committees last Tuesday, when the subject of the outpatients’ contributions was brought up and the complaints were made by Physicians present, he had drawn attention to the action of the Physicians who had undertaken enquiries of the patients and subsequently made a report to the Medical Committee, without acquainting him with what was going on. He pointed out that not only did this appear an inadequate course, inasmuch as never having heard of the complaints until that moment, he was unable to furnish the meeting with any information in explanation, but it was one which if generally pursued would prevent a prompt remedy of evils, and it was also at variance with the spirit and letter of the rules of the Board’s resolutions. The gravity of the matter was increased greatly by the fact that some members of the staff present stated, apparently with the acquiescence of the remainder, that they did not recognise the position of the Secretary-Director and that such information as they had to give would be given to the Medical Committee.
Mr Russell said that the Secretary Director had omitted to state that besides inquiring of inpatients in the hospital, one of the Physicians had made inquiry by correspondence with a medical gentleman outside.
The Secretary-Director read the minutes of the Board conferring upon him the title of General Director and investing him with the responsibilities of the Board in their absence.
The opinion was generally expressed that the resolution of the Board should be maintained and in order that a communication might be made in this sense directly to the members of the staff, it was resolved that at the close of business, this meeting do adjourn to Tuesday next and that the members of the medical and surgical staff be invited to meet the Board then.
Board of Management Minutes: Dec 1907 – Apr 1917 NHNN/A/4/7
The death of the President of the Hospital, Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal, was reported, and it was resolved that the Board of Management of the National Hospital wish to offer the family of Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal their condolence on the loss sustained by his death. Lord Strathcona will long be remembered by those connected with the Hospital as a President who took an active interest in the management of the Institution and was a generous contributor to its funds.
It was reported that Lord Strathcona had left the Hospital a legacy of £2000 duty free.
Matron’s Reports NHNN/N/3/1
Cecilia A M Spackman - reports from 21 February 1921 to 9 February 1926
‘I have received an adverse report from Miss Steyerman and the Massage Sister of Nurse G S. I am told her theoretical work is poor, but what is far more important that she is untrustworthy with regard to her practical work on patients, and the Massage Teachers consider her unsuitable to continue her training. Miss S therefore claims from the Hospital salary at the rate of £50 per annum, less what she has already received.’
On This Day is a diary of day to day life in the Hospital covering 1859 to the 1940’s.
Extracts are taken from the staff records, letters, the reports of the Matron and the Lady Superintendent, and the minutes of the Board of Management and the Medical Committee. They were compiled with the help of Janet Townsend, Frankie Alves, Louise Shepherd, Michael Clark and Liz Yamada
The item of the month also contains items highlighted by archive staff.