Wider State Powers Given In Hospitals Bill

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28321, 5 July 1957, Page 12

Wider State Powers Given In Hospitals Bill

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, July 4.

With the Government now having complete financial control over hospital boards, wider powers for the provision of hospital facilities are taken by the Government in a Hospitals Bill introduced in the House of Representatives today.

From the beginning oi the current financial year the State took oyer complete financial responsibility for the operation and maintenance of public hospitals, though hospital boards are to continue to be responsible for raising loans. The bill, of 158 clauses, repeals the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, 1926, and its many amendments. Most of this law is retained, however, and consolidated into one measure. Ministerial Powers

The main recommendations of the 1953 Consultative Committee on Hospital Reform are given effect to in the bill by giving the Minister of Health the duty of establishing a comprehensive and integrated hospital service. The bill also widens and consolidates in the hands of the Minister the existing powers of the Minister and the DirectorGeneral of Health into a general responsibility of the Minister to direct hospital boards on all matters.

Elective-boards are retained, and there is no reduction in their number. They also retain the power of management of hospital services in their area.

A Hospitals Advisory Council is established by the bill The chairman will be the DirectorGeneral of Health Two other Government members will be the Secretary of the Treasury and the Commissioner of Works The other members of the council will be the president of the Hospital • *

Boards’ Association and a North Island and South Island representative appointed by the association.

The council’s functions are wide Its main purpose will be to make recommendations to the Minister on general matters such as the provision, control, and management of institutions and hospital accommodation and services However, in certain cases it may not make a recommendation to the Minister except by a two-thirds majority vote.

Legal recognition is also given the Departmental Hospital Works Committee, which has functioned for the last three years to consider hospital building projects. This committee will also make recommendations to the Local Government Loans Board on applications by hospital boards for consent to borrow money Another clause in the bill impowers the Minister to direct a hospital board to provide such services as he thinks fit Board Representation

In future the number of representatives on hospital boards is to be fixed in proportion to the relative populations of the constituent districts of the board, instead of the relative values of rateable property being taken into account. The maximum number of members of a board is reduced from 20 to 14.

Boards are to furnish each year estimates of receipts and payments, as their funds are to be granted by Parliamentary vote.

“The bill authorises the DirectorGeneral of Health to require alterations to private hospitals considered inadequate or unsuitable. At present the only control over private hospitals is the cancellation of the licence. The bill is to come into force on April 1, 1958.