HOSPITAL AREAS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 47, Issue 2667, 8 September 1937, Page 3

HOSPITAL AREAS

DECISION BY CABINET FINDING OF COMMISSION REASONS FOR A MERGER REPORT RECAPITULATED. Recapitulation of the main points of the finding of the Hospital Commission which sat in Paeroa last December will be of interest in view of the decision of Cabinet made last week, to authorise the merging of the Thames, Waihi and Coromandel hospital districts. Although no mention has been made of the terms of the amalgamation nor of the Commission’s finding, it is generally accepted that that will be the basis of the amalgamation. Mr F. H. Levien, S.M., reported, inter alia, as follows :

In view of the undercurrent of opinion as to the desirability of an amalgamation of the Coromandel, Thames and Waihi hospital districts, and of the scheme for such amalgamation hereinafter set forth, I have not deemed it necessary to traverse or analyse in detail the evidence (covering approximately 150 pages of foolscap) submitted to the commission. Some of this evidence was discursive, as it appeared necessary to encourage the broadest approach to a difficult problem. Three Strong Reasons. Even apart from the scheme of amalgamation referred to, the evidence, in my opinion, pointed definitely to the amalgamation of the three districts mentioned as highly desirable : (1) From the paramount consideration (based upon community of wellbeing)—the provision for the sick of easy and immediate access to hospital facilities under conditions most conducive to their earliest restoration to health and economic usefulness.

(2) From the point of view of increased post-depression collections, of immediate economies to the Coromandel and Waihi hospital districts and increasing economies to the three hospital districts arising from : (a) The fullest user of all hospital facilities within the district; (b) With increasing transport comfort and speed, the economical use of beds by interchange of patients and regulation of bed pressure; (c) The maximum control, use, and mobility of medical, nursing and administrative staff throughout the hospitals of the combined district; (d) The freedom of entry, interchange and relief of patients throughout the combined area, thereby eliminating disputes between the hospital boards and speeding the re-entry of patients into full economic life; (e) A control board capable, of studying the needs of the whole of a definite district;

(f) ’Economies in purchasing and distribution; (g) A more rigid, even if sympathetic, check upon a patient’s ability to pay fees, and the collection of such fees;

(h) The control and direction of growth and efficiency of the hospitals in the district; (i) Simplification and standardising of returns —costings, etc. Type of Country. (3) From the necessity of providing adequate, efficient and co-ordinated hospital facilities for an area presenting special geographical and financial difficulties arising out of a disproportionate length of coastline, a large area of mountainous and unproductive land, a dwindling or precarious gold production with consequent reduction in income from gold duty and gold revenue, an increasing agricultural and dairying population and industry along the east coast from Colville to Waihi Beach and on the Waihi Plains, and increasing transport facilities.

Mr Levien reviews each of the constituent local bodies from every angle and adds, in connection with the alteration of the Hauraki Plains county boundaries in 1919 that “it does appear that unwittingly its (the Thames board) financial strength was grievously sapped by a division . . .

There does appear to be a strong case for the return to the Thames district of some contiguous area of the Waikato Hospital District by way of compensation for the inadvertent loss of territory and revenue in 1919-20.” After reviewing the opinions and evidence submitted by each board Mr Levien made the following recommendation : “That the hospital districts of Thames;, Waihi and Coromandel he reconstituted so as to form one hospital district.”