MEDICAL SCHEME

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 55, Issue 32706, 29 April 1946, Page 4

MEDICAL SCHEME

INVESTIGATION URGED . PLAN AT HOKIANGA COMMITTEE APPOINTED A committee from the Thames Hospital Board should make a personal visit to investigate the domiciliatory co-operative medical scheme which was inaugurated by the Hokianga Hospital Board a little over three years ago, and which now showed a credit balance of about £BOOO, said Mr J. W. Neate, at the April meeting of the board. The scheme provides for a medical service for all people in the district, the Social Security Department having agreed to pay £1 per head of population every year. 'The district,, a difficult one,- was divided into areas, with a nurse in each. The population totals 8000; about 50 per cent, of whom are Maoris. ■lt would be better, said Mr C. W. Parfitt, for the board to contact those who were informed about the scheme, rather than make a. personal visit at thisi stage. Amendment Carried Mir Neate moved that.the secretary, Mr A. L. Neighbour, contact the secretary, of the Hokianga Hospital Board, to arrange a visit from, a ~coiua mittee 1 to investigate the scheme. Mr Parfitt then moved an . amendment to the effect that a committee be set up to investigate, the scheme before other action was,.taken. The amendment wasi carried by seven votes to three, Mirs A. Williams and Messrs W. C. Kennedy and Neate . dissenting.

The board then appointed'' a committee to gain information, and, if desirable, to arrange a visit when further details were available. .