CROWDED HOSPITAL.
PRESSURE ON FACILITIES. SERVICE FOR MAORIS. “I regret that it is not possible, on the department’s present information, to accede to the board’s wishes,” stated the Minister of Health (Sir Alexander Young) in a letter received by the Palmerston North Hospital Board, yesterday, replying to the latter’s renewed representations for a grant of £2OO towards the cost of district nursing services to Maoris in the Palmerston North district. “As indicated in my letter of May 31,” added the Minister, “the department is compelled, on account of restricted finance, to review the existing disposition of nurses to Maoris. When this is being done, further consideration will be given to the claims of the Palmerston North district.” Disappointment at the attitude taken up by the Minister was expressed by the chairman (Mr J. K. Hornblow), who stated that an increasing number of-Maoris was being admitted to hospital and sickness among them appeared to be more prevalent, particularly in regard to cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. It meant that the district nurse in the southern end of the district would be called upon to give most of her services in work previously paid for by the department out of the Maori Purposes Fund. “During the week-end we had the record number of 244 patients in the Hospital,” added the chairman, “and we always expect an increase at this time of the year. The medical superintendent found it essential to communicate with practitioners in the district requesting them to send only the most urgent cases to Hospital. It shows the vital necessity for district nursing, and I sincerely hope the Minister will meet our request.” Reviewing all the circumstances, commented Mr J. Hodgens, the position was very unsatisfactory. He moved that the chairman and the manag-ing-secretary make personal representations to.tile Minister and the department, the question, in his opinion, being important enough to warrant a visit to Wellington. The chairman: I do not know that I can do any more-than.l have already done.
The motion was carried for representations to be made for a third time to the Minister on tho subject.
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Bibliographic details
Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 194, 16 July 1935, Page 2
Word Count
349CROWDED HOSPITAL. Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 194, 16 July 1935, Page 2
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