Hospital Administration

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 284, 28 August 1935, Page 11

Hospital Administration

Sir, —In tbe July number of “Thp Australian Hospital,” the editorial column in amplifying the Australian policy of decentralisation of the big hospitals -adds the following statement: “That these complete hospitals are necessary in country districts from an economic point of view is not the most vital reason for their establishment. It has been proved that, because of the inconvenience and expenses consequent upon attendance at one or other of the metropolitan general hospitals, many sufferers have delayed availing themselves of treatment until their condition has progressed beyond any possibility of relief, let alone cure. Furthermore, the large number of country patients who have been forced by circumstances to attend metropolitan hospitals has resulted in considerable congestion in those institutions, thereby delaying the treatment of many sufferers.” AVe have in this article an admission that big hospitals are not economical and that base hospitals or complete units on a smaller scale of 40-80 beds are more economical from the patients’ point oi view, and hence the general public. Probably the following summary at the end of the editor's remarks (above referred to) will apply very forcibly to our Hutt Valley residents :

“The advantages of an efficient base .hospital (fully equipped as opposed to a cottage type) are: (1) Substantial reduction of the demand for accommodation by country residents at the metropolitan hospitals. (2) AA’ider opportunities for country sufferers to take advantage of early treatment, thus ensuring greater probability of recovery. (3) Extensive savings in fares and expenses by country residents. (4) More complete services in country areas, greater efficiency in hospital services, and general improvement in the care and comfort of patients.” The advantages of New Zealand’s Health' Department’s policy of greater and bigger bed accommodation in our city hospitals, are all for the benefit ixnd experience of the honorary staff, who are only a part of the medical profession and who do not retire at short intervals to give the rest of the profession a chance to benefit from hospital experience. They may claim that the pitients benefit from their wider experience, but one’s experience tends to prove that the stipendiary staff system gives the best result from tbe patient's point of view, and the Australian system has realised that decentralisation is to the patient’s benefit from every point of view. No one doctox - can claim to have all the knowledge; he may assume that attitude professionally, but it is remarkable to find” such men of fame as Sir .lames AleKenzie, heart specialist, practising in a mining town. Salesmanship does not indicate experience and sound judgment.—l am, etc., FAIR PLAY. AVellington, August 27.