HOSPITAL BRANCHES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 226, 12 June 1918, Page 6

HOSPITAL BRANCHES

IN THE OUTLYING DISTRICTS. Evidently tho turmoil that has been raised over the enormous increase in the cost of hospital work in Wellington has made little impression isi some quarters, to judge from a. lettev which has licen received by the chairman of the Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board (Mr. H. Baldwin) this week. The letter rends as follows:—

"Wellington Labour Representation Committee.—Dear Sir,—l am instructed by the above committee to request that your board will receive a deputation from the Trades and Labour Council and the above committee for the purpose of putting before your board a proposal for tho opening up in the outlying parts of the city of branch departments for the treatment of out patients. I would be extremely obliged if you would advise me as to the time your board would ieenive the- deputation, and on what date, 6o as to allow me the opportunity of advising tho members who will form the deputation—(Signed) E. Kennedy, secretary."

Mr. Baldwin said that the deputation would lie received at the next meeting of tho board. What exactly tho idea, was he could not say, but if it involved anything in the way of medical attention he waa very much afraid that it could not be managed owing to the shortage of doctors, and the cost of setting up suburban branches, no matter _on how humble a scale. The board's idea was to centralise rather than spread out. That was why they contemplated, shifting the charitable aid relief department to Adelaide Eoad as soon as tho necessary accommodation was provided.