HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 96, 27 April 1929, Page 8

HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT

When particulars of the Hospital Board levy were submitted to the City Council, a councillor asked how was it that a dying body could prepare estimates for its /successors. ' The Mayor j replied:. "They don't get the publicity ' that the council does." In 1924, he said, the levy was £31,741, and now, £59,750—a1m05t double. "If we increased our rates at that rate there would be a riot." We do not quote , this as a considered criticism of the facts of Hospital finance. The Mayor knows the position .of the council in, the matter. It is merely tho ratecollecting body. Any representations it may choose to inako to tho Hospital ■ Board would, as a matter of course, be considered. The board has, indeed, welcomed examination of its work as a means of removing the grievances that contributing authorities have frequently expressed in general terms. But tho fact is that no outside ,body is really competent to undertake a detailed examination of hospital finance. It must put its trust in the administrative body which is charged with Ilic duly and authority to control hospital activity. At the same time, the council has no, choice in tho selection of tho board. Board members are directly elected. Of late tliero has been much criticism of the system which provides for direct election without direct collection, of funds. It has been suggested that tho Hospital Board should either collect its own rates or that its mombers should bo chosen by tho bodies responsible for rate-collection. There are objections to either course. Direct rate-collection would be expensive. A different system of election offers advantages. It would possibly produce a stronger board, as men might be .persuaded to serve as council nominees who would not consider servico if it involved the trouble of a popular election contest. Such a change- would, however, bo strongly resisted in many quarters as undermining tho democratic method of control. Probably the same purpose can be achieved if the electors will only take an interest in' an important branch of public business. Now is tho time for that interest; Hospital cost has undoubtedly increased at a rapid rato in tho past five years. Wo do not wish to condemn the board hastily on this account. Extensive building, furnishing, and equipment works have been carried cut, and the Hospital is now much bettor equipped for its important work. Th,o

extensions are not yet complete. Ac-' cording to tho board chairman, an additional, expenditure of'some £40,000 is still needed for urgent, works.. There is also the constant nood for vigilant

attention to maintenance charges. Moreover, general hospital policy is not satisfactory. Tho institution has dovolopod in the courso of time from one intended for tho poorer • people to one used by a much greater section of tho community. Tho great advances in medical scipneo will accelerato this development. Batcpaycrs'and taxpayers now jointly bear part of tho cost of modical attention for many people well able to bear the full charges themselves. At tho same timo, many of

thoso ratepayers arc, moro or less directly, denied the bonefit of general hospital facilities. This aspect of hospital policy is not merely local, and it cannot bo finally settled by a single hospital board; but hospital boards should give it ■ 'their attention. ' For theso reasons it is obvious that tho selection of members of itho board should not bo hastily made. -Electors should consider that they arc choosing directors of a great and growing enterprise. They should endeavour to secwe tho services of men who arc well oquipped by training and exporienco to shape policy and guide administration on sound lines. The choice offered is nof so wido as .might be desired, bocauso 'lici'o, as in other branches of public service, men 1 of capacity have not offered themselves freely.' But, it is possible to select , a fairly strong board. Especially should the electors seize tho opportunity which is given them of strengthening the board by the addition of men able to girf expert guidance on the medical side.