GREY HOSPITAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 July 1930, Page 2

GREY HOSPITAL

“AN EXCELLENT INSTITUTION.”

SAYS S. CANTERBURY CHAIRMAN.

“People who expect hospital costs to decrease are living in a fools’ paradise.” This was one of the remarks made at Greymouth to-day by Mr E. Macdonald, Chairman of the South Canterbury Hospital Board, during a conversation with a “Star” representative. Mr Macdonald has been paying a brief visit to the West Coast, in the course of which he made an inspection of the Grey Hospital, and his remarks may, in view of his position, be regarded as those of an authority on the subject of hospital conditions and administration. “The increase in population alone is sufficient to warrant an increased expenditure,” he said. “As the population increases and the service extends, the expenditure must also increase.”

“Naturally, one likes to have a look at the other fellow’s job, to see if one can pick up a wrinkle oi' two,” remarked Mr Macdonald. “I enjoyed very much going over the Grey Hospital with Dr Moore and Matron Lord. It strikes me as being an excellent institution, and I think the people here are very fortunate in being served as they are. What astonished me was the percentage of the fees recovered at Greymouth compared with South Canterbury. We recover only 30 per cent, of the total charges, while the secretary of the Grey Board informed me that you recover 70 per cent. I think the Grey Hospital is in as favourable a position as any similar institution in New Zealand. This high percentage of recovery, of course, is in the ratepayers’ interests, and cuts the levy down considerably. So far as the Grey district is concerned, I don’t think there is much cause for complaint. In regard to’ the cost of occupied beds, I should think that the Grey Hospital ought to occupy quite a favourable position in the list of New Zealand Hospital Boards.

“From the Year Book, we can get a wonderful analysis of figures of all the Boards in New Zealand, and can make comparisons. The Mackenzie County Council used to pay about the same levy as the Timaru Borough Council, although the county had a population of only 3000, compared with 16,000 or 17,000 in the b'orough. • On a basis of population, the county got it in the neck. One can twist the figures around to make out a good case for either side. “I would like to say one thing: There is a general cry with regard to the steady increase in hospital expenditure. It is wrong of the con tributihg bodies to expect the hospital expenditure to decrease. A hospital is just like anything else, it must either go on or go back. The people are demanding better service, and that costs more money. .The levy is a bit of a tax on the country people, but it cannot be cut down. , A decreased levy means a. reduced service.”

As a result of his inspection of the Grey Hospital, Mr Macdonald expressed tlie opinion that extension of the accommodation was required, particularly the provision of a ward for children. “It is a bad time to be making building proposals, as the Government is in financial straits, but the need for additional accommodation must be faced at the Grey Hospital. We are going through a complete building scheme at Timaru. An administrative block, to cost £lO,OOO. was proposed this year, but Dr T. H. A. Valintine had a talk with us, on behalf of the Government, and we have decided to postpone construction for a year, in the hope that conditions will improve. Under the- circumstances, I am afraid that tin chance of the Grey Hospital Board in connection with assistance for new buildings is not very rosy at present. In the planning of a children’s ward ‘atmosphere’ plays' a not unimportant part. For instance, in our children’s ward, the bare walls have been improved by large-sized reproductions of nursery rhymes, with illustrations, and the kiddies take a keen interest in them.”

WEST COAST'INDUSTRIES

Making his first visit to the West Coast, Mr Macdonald described it as “a charming place,” and stated that personal inspection had given him a totally different focus so far as industries were concerned. He had been particularly impressed by the magnitude of the coal-mining industry. “1 am used to the Canterbury tussock country,” he said, “and have naturally been looking for sheep country on the West Coast. Your splendid scenery certainly fills the eye better, but I don’t know that it fills the pocket as well!” He had always looked upon West Coasters as “a people apart,” he added, and had not been disappointed, their hospitality having come right up to expectations, and he was very pleased with his experiences during the few days he had been in the West. He was particularly impressed by the scenery en route to Piinakaiki, a trip he made yesterday in the company of Mr T. E. Coates. “The Main Highways Board seems to be doing excellent work on the West Coast,” he said, “but the motorists are paying for it, and ought to get results.”