Minister critical of board

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33967, 7 October 1975, Page 3

Minister critical of board

<5 Z Press Association) WELLINGTON, Oct 6. The Minister of Health (Mr McGuigan) has challenged the "adequacy” of the Auckland Hospital Board's administration. Mr McGuigan hit out at reports that the board might close a general ward, and cut back on other services. The board had been given more money than ever before, he said, but seemed unable to maintain even its existing services. It was significant that the medical, and nursing, services were being threatened. "The people are entitled to a few facts when studying emotive statements by the chairman of the board (Dr F. Rutter),” the Minister said. “He raises the alarm by suggesting the ‘possible need to divert staff to lifepreserving areas' yet this year’s grant to the Auckland Hospital Board, at *63,958,337. was nearly $ 10.5 m above that for 1974/75, a 16.4 per cent Increase. “A large part of the Increase is specifically to compensate for increased costs, particularly salaries and wages. This is intended to enable the board to provide the same level of services as it did last year —and did successfully within its budget.” Mr McGuigan said the cut in radiology services was mainly caused by staff shortages, and a Government examination of the organisation of the radiology services was declined by the board when offered by the former Minister of Health (Mr Tizard).