Minister attacked on future of hospital

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32659, 15 July 1971, Page 2

Minister attacked on future of hospital

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, July 14. The uncertain future of Queen Mary Hospital at Hanmer Springs was used by the Opposition in Parliament today to attack the Minister of Health (Mr McKay).

Mr L J. Brooks (Lab., Marlborough) said it 'was quite evident that the Government did not want to carry on administration of the hospital.

It was looking for excuses to close it Mr T. F. Gill (Nat., Waitemata) and other Government

,' speakers said the Opposition ; knew well that the Govern- ' ment had not made any deci- ’ slon to close the hospital. '• Two senior medical officers • had retired and it was prov- , ing very difficult to get staff. , Mr T. M. McGuigan (Lab., Lyttelton) said the hospital held a unique plaice in the Jhealth'services of New Zea- > land in catering for alcoholics - and those with allied nervous disorders. ' Mr J. M. Rose (Nat., Otago Central) said it was “quite niiSchevious” to infer that the standards of health services in New Zealand were slipping. '-.•ln . fact, he said, the standards had never been so .high. Dr G. A. Wall (Lab., Porirua) said that by his manner of administering Queen Mary Hospital the Minister of Health was “making it absolutely certain he twill not get the staff?’'

The uncertainty of the future of the hospital, he sard, did nothing to encourage medical staff to apply. Mrs E. I. Tombleson (Nat., Gisborne) said * the Government was continuing to recruit medical staff for all hospitals, including Queen Mary "Hospital, throughout New Zealand and overseas as well. Mr N. J. King (Lab., Birkenhead) said the uncertainty ' was detrimental to the present staff, to those who might apply, and to the community in general.