COUNTRY NEEDS.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18726, 24 June 1926, Page 3

COUNTRY NEEDS.

» —— HOSPITAL EXPENDITURE. DR. VALINTINE ADVISES CAUTION. Dr. T. H. A. Valintine, Director of Health, waited oil tho North Canterbury Hospital Board at its meeting yesterday morning and gave the Board an outlino of his policy regarding expenditure on country hospitals. Ho stated that he had discussed the matter with tho Prime Minister and the Minister for Health, and was advised that they should use caution in expenditure. Dr. Valintino said that since ho had last met the Board he had had an opportunity of going into tho question of hospital extension and expenditure. In his opinion they must go carefully as regards expenditure. "It is not for mo to say that there are bad times ahead, but still we must

go carefully. I am absolutely against the extension of country hospitals, but am in accord with the ideas of the Board to extend maternity accommodation. But we do not want ordinary country hospitals, as the roads are very good and transport easy." At Chatham Islands. As to tho Chatham Islands, it seemed absurd that an expenditure of £SOOO or £6OOO should bo considered. There was a population of 439, Europeans and Maoris, aud there was not a placo in the world which would lfe,vo such an elaborate hospital as suggested Mr the Chathams in proportion to the population. But it must be recognised that tho place was isolated, and that some accommodation should be provided. All that was required was a house and a couple of wards as 4he centre of the district nurse's activities, at a cost of £IOOO. The district nurse could work in co-operation with the docto'r now at the Islands." Dr. Valintine suggested that the nurse be given a house and a suitable woman to assist her. "You must consider both the first cost and the cost of maintenance, the latter being the crucial point." The first cost was considerable for so small a population, but if care was not exercised there would be recurring expenditure every three or four years. Mrs E. McCombs: The Islands are rough, and transport is by boat or I horseback. Will the nurse do all the domestic work? Dr. Valintine: The cottage will be ' the centre of the nurse's activities, i

I She can nurso in tho cottage or m tho people's homes, and be assisted by a woman in the general conduct of the cottage. He continued that tho Board would not bo wise to go in for large expenditure, as the place might bo idlo for six months of the year. ■ Darfield's Needs. Dr. Valintine said that Darfiold had a population of 6000, and he was of the opinion that a maternity hospital with four beds would be sufficient. It could be extended. It would involvo a staff of two trained nurses, cook, and honsomaid. Tho cost of the buildings would bo from £3500 to £4OOO. Mr W. E. Leadley: Has a casualty ward been considered? Dr. Valintine: No;, with good roads and only 30 miles from Christchurch, it would not be necessary. Emergency cases could bo taken until they could be sent on. j Mr F. Horrell said that Darfield went a long way back, and it was likely that there would bo accidents which could bo treated just as well at Darfield as at Christchurch. But maternity homes should be established wherever possible. It was going too far to spend from £BOOO to £IO,OOO on

a cottage hospital. They Lad committed themselves far too elaborately in tho past. Darlield should have a casualty ward with, say, two beds. Dr. Valintine: I have no doubt'soniej thing liko that could bo arranged. 1 Dr. Valintine did not agree to the establishment of a maternity home at Little Eiver. All that was required, lie said, was a district nurse, who could be paid by tho Board and be allowed to collect her own fees. Cheviot was very isolated, and had a population of 1100, said Dr. Valintine. All that was required there was a district nurse's house with two beds. It was 35 miles from Waikari, and the roads wero good. If necessary, an additional nurse could be sent from Christchurch or Waikari. Ho recommended the establishment of a maternity hospital at Lincoln, with four beds, on the same lines as suggested at Darfield. ' Serious Consideration BequirecL _ Dr. Valintine asked the Board to eon- •

sider his proposals very seriously, as there was not an excess of money to spend at the present time. "That is as far as I feel like going," he concluded. The chairman (Mr H. J. Otley) said that he was dissatisfied, and would like to see much more done. He considered that £IOOO was not enough for the get nothing, and he could not see why another part of practically the same district should be given a maternity hospital and Little Kiver nothing at aIL The Board had promised them ■ attention for years, and was now letting them

down. They would have to ask for more money. -

Mr H. H. Holland said that in.the past, thoro had been difficulty in holding medical men at the Chathams on account of the lack of facilities.

Dr. Valintine: Yes, I-quite appreciate that. ', ..''..':".•■■ ■ ;

_ In reply to Mrs McCombs, Dr..Vallntino said that air types of cases could bo taken at tho Chatham Islands institution.

Mr Otley then announced that Dr. Valintine had promised to reconsider the position at Little.River. "He has treated us as well as.he could." ,Dr. Valintine left later in : the .day for the south. ■