BUILDING PLANS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20622, 25 November 1941, Page 4

BUILDING PLANS

RADIOLOGY BLOCK OFFICIALS’ PROPOSALS BOARD NONPLUSSED Members of the Cook Hospital Board yesterday afternoon were informed that after a considerable amount of discussion and negotiation, the building committee’s recommendations with regard to the new radiology block had been subjected to a fairly sweeping revision by officials of the Health Department. It was explained that the Board had submitted to the Department an original plan to which certain changes were proposed by the department’s officers. On the recommendation of the department, the Cook Hospital radiologist, Dr. J. S. Tomb, accompanied Mr. M. T. Trafford, chairman of the Board, on a visit to the Auckland Hospital to consult with Dr. Costello, radiologist there, on the requirements of the radiology block at the Cook Hospital. Following the conversations with Dr. Costello, another plan had been placed before the department, but the department had replied with a dilTcrent‘plan, which in effect was much the same as that originally submitted by the board, though with alterations affecting the accommodation for the radiologist and the surgical registrar.

Reference to Auckland Expert

The Board heard the views of Dr. Tomb on this proposal and decided to submit it to Dr. Costello for his comments. If the comment of Dr. Costello on the Board's proposal is favourable, it is intended to maintain the Board's views in further correspondence with tire department. The building committee submitted approximate estimates of the cost of new equipment for the radiological block in the new polyclinic, the total being about £7,500. Mr. H. Adair protested against the prospect of this outlay, stating that the Board had been assured, when considering the appointment of a radiologist, that the old X-ray plant would continue to serve the hospital. The medical superintendent, Dr. R. .1. B. Hall, stated that at that time he had told the board that he did not expect that any large capital outlay would be necessary for at least four or five years. Almost three years had elapsed since that time, however, and the war had speeded up things in regard to radiology. If the board could make the best use of the new radiological plant in diagnosing war complaints, it would serve the cost of the appliances in short order. Dr. Hall said. The board adopted the proposals of the building committee. Charges for X-Ray Services The effect of a recent ruling by the Minister of Health, the Hon. A. H. Nordmeyer, covering the collection of fees for X-ray services gave rise to some discussion. The ruling was that under clause 10 (1) of the Social Security Act (X-ray diagnostic services), which was to the effect that where any services to which the regulations applied were performed by a medical practitioner employed or engaged by a board, the prescribed fees should be accepted in full satisfaction of claims in respect of the services. The Director-General of Health, Dr. M. H. Watt, pointed out that in the circumstances it was considered that a board was not entitled to recover from another board the cost of such services afforded to outpatients. The board's finance committee expressed the opinion that the question should be referred to the Hospital Boards’ Association for its views. Conditions of Appointment “So far as this board is concerned,” the report of the committee stated, “the decision to appoint a radioligist at this hospital was with a view to providing an adequate service for the',district, and in addition make available a service for adjoining boards. This service is now available, and should be encouraged, but not at the expense of the ratepayers with the Cook Hospital district only.”

The chairman remarked that the board had adopted the scheme to establish a radiology department, with a qualified radiologist in charge, with the approval of the Health Department with a view to providing a district service and securing some return from neighbouring boards. The board had made agreements with its neighbouring boards, and the department had known and approved those, agreements. Pie held that the board was entitled to secure a return on its outlay, and he proposed that the matter be taken up on those lines with the Health Department. The board adopted the chairman’s suggestion.