KEEPING PACE

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 59, 13 March 1929, Page 8

KEEPING PACE

The Minister of Health is to be congratulated upon the force and clearness with which he stated the leading problems which must be faced by hospital administrators. Addressing the Hospital Boards Conference he said: "Just as medical science was quickly progressing, in political science administrators should move as rapidly." It is Undeniable that administration has lagged behind medicine in the adaptation of the hospital system to meet modern needs and conditions. In consequence we have institutions which are splendidly equipped and served by able stipendiary and honorary staffs, and yet. those institutions are practically closed to many of the people who pay for them. The present system (said the Minister) which in some cases not ostensibly and openly, yet actually by some oFscure understanding amongst those concerned, denies admission to our hospital to many of those who through the rates and taxes contribute to their upkeep, appears to. require facing. It is no use seeking to avoid this issue, or mis-stating it (as did the Minister's predecessor) by reference to class distinctions. There is now a real and objectionable class distinction, inasmuch as those who are able and willing to pay cannot obtain the benefit of the hospital service unless they are willing also to pretend poverty and* to accept from the honorary staff, as well as the hospital itself, service' at no charge or at a charge intended only for the poor. We agree with the Minister that the community hospital must come ai the remedy for this state of affairs. The resources of the State and the funds of the general ratepayer cannot justly be pledged to establish an exclusive system. That it excludes the rich and the moderately wealthy is as unfair in principle as if it excluded the poor. It does not matter very much whether the exclusion is brought about by a direct rule or by refusal to establish private paying wards and to allow the entry of private practitioners; It is just as effective either way, and, just as unfair to the public and to the practitioners who give honorary service. If the hospitals are to advance as they have advanced in recent years, they must be open to all—patients and practitioners alike under a system which will not increase tne burden upon the ratepayers and will assure the widest use of their facilities. Progressive medicine should not be hampered by narrow prejudices in

administration,