WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 28 July 1941, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES

(Or Own Corresponcent.) WESTPORT July 27. , High Tides for July: Monday 28 —00.32 a.m.; 00.52 p.m. Tuesday 29-01.15 a.m.; 01.35 p.m. Wednesday, 30 —01.58 a.m.; 02.24 p.m. Thursday, 31—02.-19 a.m.; 03.18 p.m. Shipping: The Kakapo is due from Lyttelton on Monday to load coal for Auckland. . The Korowai is expected from Napier on Wednesday to load coal for New Plymouth and Wellington. The Wingatui is expected from Wellington on Friday to load coal for Wellington. The Kiwi tea is expected from Auckland on Saturday to load coal for return to Auckland. The Poolta is expected from Auckland on Saturday to load coal for Gisborne, completing at Greymouui.

The Titoki is due from Nelson on Tuesuay, to load coal for Castlecliff.

Personal: Mrs. Sloan, Westport, has received word that her son. William Sloan, is missing in the ivliddie East.

Mr. J’ohn Dowgray, leaves on Monday to act as independent chairman of the “Coalminers’ National Disputes’ Committee” meeting at Christchurch on Tuesday, 29th. inst

Hospital Board Architect: At the meeting of the Hospital Board, Mr. W. P. Caldwell moved: “That a previous motion concerning the appointment of Mr. A. McDonald as architect to the Board at £5O a year, be rescinded.” After Mr. Caldwell had spoken on the motion, it was seconded by Hon. W. H. Mclntyre. After a general discussion the motion was put and lost, Messrs Mclntyre, Caldwell, and Mrs. Ridsdale voting for it, and Messrs Dowgray, Ward, Niven and Mrs. Bird against.' Mr. Simpson had left the meeting earlier. A Deputation: Before hearing a Medical Association deputation, the Hospital Board Chairman said he had discussed with the Minister of Health, Mr. Nordmeyer. the granting of a £250 annual subsidy to Denniston Medical Association. He had come to the conclusion that the Board was treating Denniston fairly. The general opinion of the Board was that the subsidy should be granted, subject to the Minister's approval. Messrs C. Murray, JSimpson, R. McGregor, T. Birchfield and R. McKenna interviewed the Board on behalf of the combined Buller Medical Associations. Mr. Murray said that' among matters which they desired clarified was that of the control of doctors, some of whom were operating through the Associations and others through the Board; also the progress being made with the proposed erection of a maternity hospital at Granity, and the provision of a mobile X-ray unit for Denniston Hospital. With regard to the Granity Home, the Chairman assured the deputation that the Board would not lose time in getting construction under way. A plan had been recyeived from' the Health Department, and he did not think it would be long before the Board received authority to call tenders. With regard to control of doctors, under the Social Security Act, the Health Department was placing all local hospitals under the nominal control of the Board. He did not. think the Board would want to control the doctors. It would take the responsibility, if necessary, but he thought control would be better if left in the hands of Medical Associations with the right of appeal to the Board. Mr. McKenna said that members of the Stockton Association had paid the subsidy for the doctors themselves and were now seeking a refund. The Government subsidy was paid to the Association, which, in turn, paid the doctor. Mr. Simpson said there was no one controlling the doctor at Denniston, and there should be a local committee to decide disputes on the spot. Mr. McGregor said the Buller Association was endeavouring to get. a Social Security subsidy for overhead expenses ' Mr. Birchfield instanced a number of anomalies in which Association members had to belong to one Association’s doctor, mainly due to overlapping of areas served by doctors. With regard to overhead charges, Mr. Birchfield maintained that there were a number of questions in connection with these which could have been cleared up if a special meeting between the Board, the Minister and the Association representatives had been held. Nothing was being done. When tne Associations had suggested a special meeting they' had been told such a meeting would embarass the Government. The Government deserved to be embarassed as members of the Association were paying twice for medical services. In instances, Associations were paying money because of the slowness of ,the Social Security Act coming into operation. They had been assured that the money would be refunded, but so far they had received nothing. The Chairman said that when in Wellington he would be willing to find out from the Minister what was holding up payment of this money. Mr. McGregor said that later the Board might have to take a certain amount of control of Medical Association. He wanted to know, in such an eventuality, whether the Board would act as a disputes’ committee as between the Associations and the doctors. He suggested that, such a committee would include two Medical Association representatives. The Chairman thought the Board would be willing to do so if it could secure the necessary authorisation. Mr. Simpson said Denniston Association had paid for the doctor and also for drugs up till May 31. Since then the Government had informed them that it would pay for these from May 1. His Association was makingapplication for a refund and wanted the Board’s support. It was stated that the Board was quite willing to give this. Mr. Simpson wanted to know if the Denniston doctor was entitled to any salary as medical superintendent at the Denniston Hospital. In reply, it was stated that the doctor had to attend to all patients in his district on the salarv provided. He was entitled to nothing extra. The Chairman told Mr Simpson of the Board's decision concerning the £250 grant, after Mr Simpson had contended that the Board had a certain responsibility to Denniston in this direction. Mr. Murray asked whether it would be possible to obtain a mobile X-ray unit for the Denniston Hospital. The Chairman said the Board had approved the purchase of a similar unit for Buller Hospital, but it would have to be bought bn terms. However, a mobile X-ray unit was necessary at Denniston too, and he promised that the Board would look into the matter.