HOSPITAL CONTROL

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 181, 27 April 1921, Page 6

HOSPITAL CONTROL

COMMISSION AT DUNEDIN EVIDENCE REGARDING SUBSIDIES By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, April 26. Tho Hospitals Commission commenced its Dunedin sitting this morning. Tho executive of the Royal Society of Health of Women and Children was present to oppose any suggestion that it should bo brought under tho control of Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards. Mr. T. K. Sidey, M.P., pointed out that it was a misconception to say that the society was recognised as a charitable institution, its function, rather, being of an educational nature. The society had been reorganised a great deal. Infant mortality was duo to ignorance, and, by means of literature and Blanket nurses.it was endeavour ing to educate the mothers. Tho society had thirty-four branches, fifty-six nurses, and three hospitals. The chairman assured Mr. Sidey that there was no intention that the work of the society was to be taken over by the boards. Other speakers pointed out the great demand for Karitane nurses in private homes. . It was agreed tliat the executive should discuss some more definite scheme tor obtaining kubsidies from the Government, and let the Commission know the result. Thomas Pryde, secretary of the Southland Hospital Board, said he supported borrowing to meet, capital expenditure, it being impossible to meet extensive works from ordinary levies and subsidies. The Government should raise the necessary moneys on behalf of all boards, so that boards would not -compete with each other in the money market., Under the present scale of subsidy, the Government escaped its fair share of cost, at the expense of local authorities as, with, tho exception of small animal payments to sinking fund, the heavy annual interest charges only received a subsidy at the rate allowed for maintenance expenditure, which, for the year just ended, was 15s. 3d. in the £ in the case of the Southland Board, and which was also the average rate paid by the Government to boards throughout tho Dominion. Subsidies for maintenance should be amended >to provide for at least £1 for -Cl being paid throughout the Dominion for less extensive capital expenditure. Ho thought more use might be made of the provisions of the Act providing for boards creating building funds, which, without unduly increasing local bodies’ levies, might be made to provide a fund to carry out any projected additions, etc., to existing institutions, with the further advantage that the Government and local authorities had contributed to the fund in equal proportions. On tho present £1 for £1 scale for capital expenditure, the subsidy should be computed in some simple way that could allow each board to know, when it framed its Estimates, what amount its levy and subsidy was going to be, and thus be in a position without delay to advise local authorities what tho levy for the year was going to be. A flat rate of .£1 for £1 for maintenance requirements would enable that to be done, besides assuring that expenditure, of whatever nature, was met in equal proportions by the Government and the local authorities. In 1910, the subsidy paid for maintenance expenditure exceeded local bodies’ levies by £2266, whereas in 1920-21 local bodies’ levies exceeded tho subsidy paid by £101,532. He thought bequests should be entitled to the same subsidy as voluntary contributions. In regard to fees charged patients in a position to pay. Mr. Pryde considered that these should bo based as near ns possible on the average daily cost of treatment per patient, with the usual reduction according to the ascertained circumstances of the patient, or near relatives. The present was not an opportune time to consider providing private or paying wards. He considered that it would be satisfactory all round if each hospital was responsible for the treatment of patients, and the collection of fees, irrespective of the district or residence of the patients. Considerable economy could be effected if tho bulk of hospital requirements were standardised, the larger boards, or tho Department, purchasing from manufacturers and distributing them to smaller boards.

John M'Naughton, chairman -if the Wallace and Fiord Hospital Board, said he would be quite willing te pay fees for anything the Wallace County used in the Southland Hospital. He thought the formation of half of the Souto Island into one hospital district was a very good plan. They would, like to control their own board work and pay a contribution for their patients who required special treatment. John Hornell, member of the Wallaco Board, said that they had a district nurse at Tuatapere. They paid £BO towards upkeep, and the Department paid a subsidy of 245. Ho would like this subsidy to be continued. Thomas Lawson Hart, chairman of tho Waimate County Council, said he considered that more’ should be put on to the Consolidated Fund in the way of subsidy. Tita Commission! adjourned till tomorrow.