OPUNAKE HOSPITAL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 19 October 1922, Page 2

OPUNAKE HOSPITAL.

j MEDICAL ATTENDANCE PROBLEM. DEPARTMENTAL AID SOUGHT. The recently-established cottage hospital at "Opunake is^ still presenting difficulties in the way of management to the Taranaki Hospital Board, and a long discussion at yesterday's meeting ended with a decision to place the whole of the facts in connection with medical attendance before the health department, with a request that they should advise the board in the matter. The report of the general manager (Mr. jE. Holden) stated, inter alia, that the sub-committee appointed to draw uo rules and regulations in connection with, the management of the Opunake Jiospit'al had met, when it was decided that the local committee should have the same power in relation to that hospital as the members of the board had to the New Plymouth hospital, with the proviso that the board bad the right to veto any rule or provision made. The fees were fixed as follows:—Ordinary patients shall pay tbe "same as at the New Plymouth hospital; maternity patients to pay, in addition to the ordinary fees^ the medical fees charged by the doctor. The general manager was authorised to pay periodical visits toOpunake to keep a general supervision over the management of the institution, and to advise the committee and sister in charge. Messrs. Halcombe and Vickers, with the general manager, were deputed to go to Opunake with a view to meeting the local committee, with Dr. Watt to (iome to some finality with regard to the standing and position of the proposed medical superintendent. After discussion, it was decided that the question should be sub-mitted-to the committee ■ which had since decided that the hospital be used for the purposes for which it.was built, namely, maternity and general nursing. The question had yet to be decided whether Dr. Watt would attend or not. and, if not, what action was to be taken to provide medical attendance for those cases needing the services of a medical man. The secretary of the Opunake Hospital Committee. (Mr. T. H. H. Sinclair) notified that his committee had accepted the control and management of the Rachel Taylor bequest as from October 1. A number of accounts were forwarded which the committee were not able to pay from fees collected. It was hoped, however, that, when the general working of the hospital was put on a sound basis, the committee would be able to show a much more satisfactory financial position. In a further letter tbe secretary notified the board of a resolution passed unanimously by the committee (as mentioned in the general manager's report.) It was stated that, in view of the fact that the time of a probationer employed at the Opunake institution would not be counted in her length of service, it was suggested by the'-com-mittee that it might be possible to secure the services of applicants awa't- j ing vacancies at the New Plymouth hospital as probationers. I j The general manager and Mr. Hal-! | combe reported on the conference at j Opunake, as outlined in the former's report. Mr. Halcombe said the position was very unsatisfactory, \as' the doctor absolutely (refused to attend maternity cases at the hospital. Mr. Cattley said he understood the friendly societies were agreeable to co- i operate with the boarct to secure a doctor for the hospital, provided the sanction of the department was obtained. How best to secure the services of a medical man at Opunake to attend to hospital matters formed the trend: of a long discussion. The general manager quoted a regulation from the Public Health Amendment Act, and added that, in the light,of that-regulation, it appeared a very simple matter for the Egmont County Council to approach the Minister with a view to appoint-! ing a medical man fo,r Opunake, with' the assistance to be expected from the ' friendly societies. I "It is suggested that the Egmont, County Council should supersede the ! board in this matter," said Mr. M. i O'Brien, who is chairman of the coan- j oil. H^ spoke without feeling, but he j would say the county council would I take the matter over, though he thought it was impudent on the part of the board to expect the council to do so. If the latter did so it would mean separation. "I would (remind Mr. O'Brien that the Egmont County Council is the health authority for the district," said Mr. Vickers. "Nominally," was Mr. O'Brien's reply. He went on to point out that a levy could not be made, over the whole of the Egmont County to meet the expenses of appointing a medical man. ' A levy could be made on the Opua, i Opunake, and Oeo ridings, but if such a thing were done in the Rahotu. riding, which comprised half the county, the ; council would have another storm about j ■ their heads from those people who were I trying to unmake the county. It was, \ he considered, a matter in which the ! hospital board should give the lead. A j doctor should be advertised for. An' appeal could later be made to the friendly societies to supplement the amount, and, if ..that were not enough, ' the Egmont County Council could be asked to create a separate district for a rate. "But, candidly," concluded the speaker, "it is not a job for the county council." The acting-chairman (Mr. A. H. Halcombe) explained that the board did not want to transfer its responsibility to the county council, but, as the council had the power to apply for a doctor j without the sanction of the board, it seemed better that the appointment should be made in that way. I Mr. O'Brien, stating- that he would call a spade a spade, maintained that the Opunake hospital was built largely by compulsion on the part of the board. The board was the authority and must give a lead in the matter. j He could not agree that the county' council should be called upon to take' up the burden, which was emphatically» the duty of the board. Mr. Vickers resented the remark about compulsion; nor had the board wanted to shuffle the financial responsibility of securing a medical man on to the council. What was wanted was that the council should nyjte application to the department for the appoint- ; ment of a medical man at Opunake, as that would be the best and shortest way out of the difficulty. i The acting-chairman said that the fin- ' ancial responsibility devolved upon the department, who would fix the salary and the supplementary amounts to be ; paid by the board, _riendly societies, and county council. On thp motion of Mr. Vickers, seconded by Mr. Young;, it was decided that the whole facts of the case in j ' connection with medical attendance at f the Opunake hospital be placed before the department, and that they be asked to suggest what the board should do

in the matter. It was further resolved, I on the motion of Mr. Halcombe, seconded by Mr. Vickers, that the general manager consult with the medical superintendent of the New Plymouth hospital (Dr. Walker) as to the salary to be offered for the position if the depart- ! ment advised that applications should ! be invited. —News. ■ I