AGAINST GROUP CONTROL.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 4 December 1929, Page 2

AGAINST GROUP CONTROL.

♦ ATTITUDE OF NORTH ISLAND HOSPITAL BOARDS.

DECLINE TO TAKE OVER PUKEORA AND OTAKI SANATORIA. SATISFIED WITH DEPARTMENT'S WORK.

A conference of delegates from Hospital Boards in the North Island, held in Palmerston yesterday, decliriad to form a group to take over the administration of the Pukeora and Otaki Sanatoria from the Department, in view of the fact that the institutions were economically run aWeady, conditions of administration were satisfactory, and there was nothing to show that the Boards could run the sanatoria better. Mr J. K. Hornblow, chairman of the Palmorston North Board, was elected to the chair and extended a welcome to the Minister (Hou. A. J. Stallworfchy), Dr Valintine and delegates. No Ulterior Motive. In returning thanks, the Minister had something to say on the object of the conference. He complimented the boards on the very excellent services they were rendering and close cooperation with the department. It had been stated that in taking over the sanatoria, the boards would become the catsipaw of the department. Criticism like that was not creditable and showed a lack of knowledge by the person who made it. "I want each of you to understand t/hat there is n,o surreptitious movement on the part of the department to force the boards in one direction or another," srtated the Minister. "The Government is willing to hand over to any group of boards, the sanatoria now run by the department and fulfil its responsibility right up to the hilt. The department does not want to got rid of its responsibilities as some might think." The Minister added that if ho thought the taking ov« of the hospitals by the boards would be inimical to the health of the patienits he would oppose it but he didn't think the change would be. He believed that the group system of control would result in a closer interest by boards in regard to the incidence of T.B. in the North Island. He wanted to see the disease stamped out and an intensive educational campaign for the purpose was what was wanted. That could only be brought about by the co-operation of boards with the department. Dr T. H. A. Valintine (DirectorGeneral of Health) also said that there was no ulterior motive behind the conference, as far as the department was concerned. All the information possible would be gladly placed before the conference so that delegates could discuss elcarly and freely whether the formation of a group system would be advantageous or nut. The accommodation at Pukeora had not been used as it might have b«*n but at Otaki it was taxed to capacity although no patients had bee a denied admission. T'ie department woahl hand over Otaki and Pukeora lock, stock and barrel and in addition, the money that it was proposed to spend en the institutions. Having taken over the sanatoria, fcho i boards would have the blessing and good wishes of the department. Department'B Gift.

Mr Hornbdow traversed the evontJ that had fed up to the decision to call a conference to discuss the formation of a group in the southern end of the North Island. It had started from the annual conference last February, when the group system as carried out at Waipiata in the South Island, wa« approved. The chairman drew attention to the fact that there were more boards represented at the conference than it was proposed to include in the group. The boards suggested were: Matakoa, Waiapu, Cook, Wairoa, Hawko's Bay, Waipawa, Dannevirke, Taranaki, Stratford, Hawera, Patea, Wanganui, PaJmerston North,-, Wairarapa and Wellington. However;• the conference- might think it advisable to extend the group to include the whole of the North Island. The speaker dealt with the general condition of the buildings, of the fixed plant, equipment, and remarked upon the farming activities and maintenance expenditure. As regards the last named, further maintenance expenditure at Pukeora could only be based on what had been done in the past and he did not anticipate any wholesale saving though some i eduction could be effected. There should be no need for further capita* expenditure for at least 10 years. In handing over the sanatoria the department was making a present to tho hospital boards of approximately £70,000 —Pukeora £50,000 and Otaki £20,000. At Waipiata in the South Island under the group system, the cost per patient per day had been reduced to 7s Oil per head. Mr Horn blow expressed the opinion that if Pukeora and Otaki were taken over by the boards a similar saving to the country could be effected. He moved: — "That tho North Island boards sot out as comprising the Wellington tuberculosis district, unite on similar lines as has been done under the Waipiata group and take over from tho Government the control and administration of the Pukeora and Otaki sanatoria." Information Wanted. Mr C. M. Luke (Wellington) seconded pro forma stating that as far as his board was concerned, something more than generalities was wanted. They wanted something material (hear, hear). He appreciated the report of tho chairman on the two institutions. Mr Luke asked if all the boards eited were willing to join up? So far that expression of opinion had not bcon ob-

tained. He believed some system of group control was right but his board had not gone beyond approving the principle. Mr Luke urged the conference to hasten slowly and spend next year in getting a report on the institutions from a committee of experts. An assurance was wanted, for instamc*, that there would not be a rise, in costs so soon as the boards took them over. Was Auckland also prepared to corn* into t'he movement or would another building be erected to meet the needs of the North? In replying to a question, Dr Valintine said that if some of the boards refused to come into the group sehemo, those'boards would either hare to provide for their own T.B. patients or pay for their treatment in the present institutions. Mr Campbell Johnston (Hamilton) pointed out that both the sanatoria in the North Island would be in the southern group. What would be t>ho position if a northern group was formed? Would another building be provided? Dr Valintine stated that Pukeora was capable of dealing with the whole of the male T.B. patients in the Nortl Island. Mr" Johnston: Then why two groups? Wiiy can't the department carry on as they are? In reply to another question, the chairman stated that only the delegates from boards cited in the Wellington group could vote on his motion. Mr Johnston and others: Then why did you bring us hero from the North for? Mr J. H. MeCarrol (Dargaville): The point is this, Lf the southern group is given tihe only two sanatoria, the northern group will be left without any. The chairman said he had been assured tihat there was no T.B. in the North.

Mr E. T. Rees (Napier) pointed out that it was impossible to discuss the subject unless the whole of the North Island groups agreed to take part, as since the abrogation of section 72, it was quite certain that people-suffering from the disease would naturally gravitate to the district whore the sanatoria were situated, with the result that the southern group of the North Island boards would find themselves providing treatment for the wiholc of the North Island, without recompense. Otheir delegates urged the need of further informatian regarding maintenance and capital costs. Motion Withdrawn. The chairman pointed out that at the annual conference the groups were decided and the northern boards had made no objection to the division then. He had moved his motion in an endeavour to carry out the instructions of that conference. If somebody could point the way to something better, well and good and in tho meantime he would withdraw the motion.

Mr W. E. Hale (Thames), then moved: "That in the opinion of the New Zealand boards, the time is. not opportune to raise the question of the Government handing ;ovcr the control of the sanatoria especially in view of the report that their administration is satisfactory and admission equitable for aid boards in the North Island." Mr Hale contended that the fact that statistics revealed there was a bigger decrease in T.B. in the North Island, than in the South, showed that the present system of control was a good one (applause). Mr W. Kennedy (Stratford) seconded, stating that the present control suited his board very well. They knew now what treatment was costing but did not know what it would be under the proposed scheme. Mr P.' Smyrk (Waipawa) urged fuller consideration of the suggestion in view of the fact that it had. been decided over and over again that the treatment of T.B. was a function of hospital boards. That the .matter should not be let drop was tie opinion of Mr C. 0. Morse (Napier) who stressed the point that under the control of a committer, patients would receive better treatment.

Mr W. Wallace (Auckland) pointed out that the success of the group system in the South had forced the North Island boards to consider the same method of control but it was significant that there had been a bigger decrease in the dosease in the North which was a splendid tribute to the way the department was running the institutions (applause). The Auckland board was against joining the group. The motion was carried.