Government Will Aid Hospitals In Care Of Aged

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 November 1949, Page 10

Government Will Aid Hospitals In Care Of Aged

A statement on general pplicy to be followed in tjonnectipii with the care and housing of aged ’ and' irlfirm peo-r pie Has been received from the Minister of Health,’Miss.'Howard, by the Hospital Boards’ Association of New Zealand. This information was contained in a letter from the association received at a meeting of the Grey Hospital Board last night, the letter enclosing a copy of the reply from the Ministei* to the association’s request that, having regard to the fact that an increasing proportion of the population of the consisted of people in the higher age groups, a great many of whom were needing accommodation . and a' measure of care, it was considered that a uniform national policy should be formulated and put urgently to ensure the needs of such people were met.

• “You will appreciate that the problem has several aspects and must necessarily be attacked in a number of ways,” stated Miss Howard’s reply. “So far as hospital boards are concerned their main task is, as : I see it, to deal primarily with those who require extended treatment or care of an institutional nature, whether in a general hospital or an extended treatment hospital. The important task of improving residential accommodation largely devolves on the Government and the local authorities in connection with housing construction.” Adequate Housing

Although the Government was intensifying its efforts to provide adequate housing, and this must have its effect in improving the'living conditions of older people, there was a decided need for accommodation of the type which had been instituted at Burnham, stated Miss Howard. Voluntary bodies in various centres were proceeding on the same lines, and the Government had in such cases, indicated its readiness to subsidise capital cost on a liberal scale; for example, one-third of the cost as a grant and' if desired, as a loan at current State Advances rate of interest.

Discussing the subject at last night’s meeting, the board’s secretary, Mr W. H. J. Watson, said that there were proposals for particular types of housing blocks for aged in the Grey board’s district. Part Of Board's Duty Mr J. E. Stokes (chairman): It is part of our job to look after these people, and it is a job which will always be with us. The Minister is prepared to give our board every assistance and encouragement. The board should consider a remodelling programme for the future, suggested Mr FI. G. Carter. The Minister had indicated that she was right behind any move to see that reasonable care was taken of the aged, added Mr Stokes. He said that similar plans at the Westland Hospital were apparently progressing well, and that the Grey board members intended to make an inspection at a later date. On the motion of Mr C. Gunn, seconded by Mr T. Blackie. it was decided to refer the matter to a subcommittee.

It was suggested in the letter from the Hospital Boards’ Association that if the Grey board had specific proposals to make, they be sent to the association, from where they would be taken up as a whole with the Minister.