HOSPITAL CONFERENCE

Grey River Argus, 5 March 1937, Page 9

HOSPITAL CONFERENCE

PATIENTS OUTSIDE OWN DISTRICTS. ABOLITION OF PRESENT SYSTEM PROPOSED. (Per Press Association.) TIMARU, March 4. At the Hospital Board’s conference disapproval of the system by which hospitals which treat, patients from outside their own districts are enabled to recover charges from the patients district was expressed in a resolution passed, recommending the abolition 0. section £)2, of the Charitable Institutions Act, which makes possible the recovery of such changes. . Mr J. Glober said the section set the different Boards at loggerheads. The present system was difficult for patients and was parochial and antiq Mr P Lumby (Thames) said that no section’of the Act had caused more friction. . ~ „ . Mr W. C. Wood (Auckland) strongly opposed the resolution, saying that the abolition of the recovery clause would cost the Auckland Board £6OOO a year. Last year this Board had paid more than £3OOO to outside Boards and had received £9OOO. Was it right that Auckland people should have to bear a Wellington liability. , Mr A. F. Quelch said the abolition of the section would cost Dunedin £3OOO a year. A recommendation that the section be abolished was carried. The conference confirmed the South Otago Board's view that the present system of allowing chronic tuberculosis patients to mix freely with their families and the public was not satisfactory, and decided to ask the Government to institute an enquiry into the incidence of chronic tuberculosis, with a view to evolving a scheme to the danger of infection.

HEALTH CAMPS. (Per Press Association.) TIMARU, March 4. The hospitals conference concluded at Timaru to-day, remaining remits, few of which were of a contentious nature, being dealt with. The question of the treatment and relief of Maoris occasioned some comment, but finally it was decided to refer the matter to the executive to investigate. The President, Mr J. W. Dove (Otago) made reference to the wonderful philanthrophyof -Nuffiel|d and} the conference passed a resolution of appreciation to Lord Nuffield for his generous gifts in assisting to alleviate suffering in New Zealand. The Prime Minister’s telegram setting out the Government’s scheme for permanent health camps as a memorial to the late King George was discussed. The Director-General of) Health, Doctor Watt, -traversed the history of th e Health Camp movement. Explaining the proposal, he said the idea was to raise funds to establish permanent buildings in the four main centres for all the year round camps, and, if sufficient money were available to establish permanent buildings in other centres for summer camps. The conference passed a resolution assuring the Prime Minister of its willingness to help in every possible way. the conference passed a resolution of sympathy with the relatives of Mr Campbell, auditor-general. The next conference is to be held in New Plymouth, i