OUT-PATIENT SERVICE

Evening Star, Issue 23831, 11 March 1941, Page 8

OUT-PATIENT SERVICE

MINISTERIAL THREAT BOARD CHAIRMAN KITS BACK [Fes United Press Association,] AUCKLAND, Alarch 11. Replying to Air Nordmeyer, Air Aloody, the Hospital Board chairman, said: “Unlike certain Cabinet Ministers, I wish to state that I have neither the time nor the inclination to sulk when I do not get my way or when I lam not capable of making up my mind or a definite course of action. I have not received official advice whether the remaining Hospital Boards’ . Association Executive members have, as stated, made satisfactory arrangements with; the Government, and, personally, .1. would prefer to wait until I have this statement from the association itself, because I do hot intend to accept th a (Minister’s bald, and to my .mind, unconvincing statement. It may be that this statement is as accurate as his remarks concerning the general body of-medi-cal practitioners accepting the Government’s medical benefits plain. “ The threat to require the Auckland, Hospital Board to refund any ; outpatients’ service fees is, of course, a> matter of the responsibility of the Government or the Minister, who will act quite wrongly, I think, in making the board do Something which is contrary; to comraonscnse methods. ~

“ Instead of the Minister , wasting time in dealing with this type of regulation, ; why does he not get on-with!;: the job? And if he lms that conviction.’ ♦which he alleges he has, let himi bring tbe necessary regulation- into 'effect to compel the hospital boards: to give their out-patients treatment•free. If this is done, then' the board can act in full compliance with! 'the law and not risk having its actions' questioned by the auditor. Once again I do object to the Alinister or the do* partmeiit attempting to use.the Hospital Boards’ Association as a ‘mean’s of ‘ implementing ’ the full policy of the Government.”