HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6993, 20 August 1929, Page 4

HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

Patients and Taxation Board Discusses Maori

The meeting of the Palmerston North Hospital Board yesterday was attended by Messrs J. Iv. Hornblow (chairman), J. A. Nash, M. A. Moody, D. Collis, J. Boyce, L. T. McLean, A. E, Mansford, C. Aitchison, S. A. Broadbelt, F. J. Byder, W Howell, G. P. Catlev, V. E. Smith, G. A. Monk and Mrs. L. A. Abraham

Maori patients. The Bay of Plenty and Waikato Hospital Boards wrote suggesting a special meeting of boards interested in the question of medical and nursing treatment of Maoris.

The chairman reported that he had informed the two boards that he thought the matter was one which should be dealt with by the Hospital Association’s executive. As far as the Palmerston North Board was concerned, it .was only affected by the Otaki hospital. Mr. Nash: I agree. What is the use of a Hospital Association in New Zealand if it can’t deal with a matter like this. The chairman intimated that the Health Department already secured £15,000 from the Native Affairs Department towards the cost of treating Maoris and a portion of that money should be available for boards in payment of treatment given natives. Perhaps members of Parliament might be persuaded to press for even further relief from the Department than was now given.

Mr. G. A. Monk was of opinion that the board should be represented at the conference! There might be more in the matter than met the eye. There was no doubt that at the conference there would be first hand information. The chairman stated that the Maori patient question had been brought before the Hospital Association on at least two occasions. /

It was decided not to send a delegate to the conference.

Taxation. The Hospital .Boards’ Association forwarded a report upon the question of taxation for hospital purposes discussed with the view of arriving at a means of apportioning the burden more equitably between town and country ratepayers in proportion to the population served.

“It will hit the towns pretty solidly if this goes on,’’ stated Mr Nash. “They ask for more equitable taxation. It will be very serious for the towns and yet the hospitals have to be located somewhere. I don’t think it will go through Parliament for one moment.’’

Mr. Monk: What scheme is this. We had a conference and decided to ask for an increased subsidy. The chairman: This scheme has been discussd by the Hospital Association executive and recommendations have been brought down. ■

On the suggestion of Mr. Mansford a copy of the proposals is to be forwarded each member of the board for perusal and the matter will be reintroduced at some future meeting if requested.

Otaki Hospital. The Director-General of Health forwarded the conditions under which the Department is willing to occupy the farm property attached to the Otaki hospital. —The board confirmed the conditions, the chairman stating that it was satisfactory to know that mat-

ters at Otaki hospital were now running smoothly. t Patients In and Out. Dr. Frank Ward (Medical Superintendent) reported an average of 152.4 beds occupied during the month of July. At the end of the month there were 176 patients in hospital, while 234 had been admitted, 22S discharged and 24 had died. Nine infectious cases (six scarlet fever, three diphtheria) had been admitted. Fifteen remained in isolation at. the end of the month.

Question of Courtesy.

Further was heard of the alleged refusal by the hospital authorities to admit a boy supposed to be suffering from scarlet fever. Dr. Ward reported that he had communicated with the doctor who recommended the case for admission. The latter remembered the incident perfectly and definitely identified this case with Mr. and Mrs. Sheridan, the boy’s parents. “He further assured me,’’ added Dr. Ward, “that they agreed to make other arrangements and that the boy did not develop scarlet fever.’’

Mr. Mansford recalled the complaint that some one had been discourteous. There should be moro care exercised.

The chairman agreed that there had apparently been a breach of courtesy. Mr. Mansford: Any man in business would soon trace a complaint of this sort to its source.

The chairman: It should be an instruction to all in responsible positions that civility is necessary to all who go to the hospital and we should dismiss without compunction, anyone who is discourteous. That applies to those who use the telephone also. People are naturally over-anxious to know how their relatives are progressing and all replies should be given in a nice manner.

Chairman’s Honorarium. On the motion of Mr. G. A. Monk, it was decided to grant the chairman an honorarium of £IOO per annum. Mr. Nash referred to the tremendous amount of work that the chairman had to do and considered that nobody could be expected to give to the position in an honorary capacity, that justice which it demanded. The chairman should visit the hospital and office at least once or twice each week. At present Mr. Hornblow only got his travelling allowances. The Wellington Board chairman received £4OO. The motion was seconded by Mr. G. P. Catley and supported by Messrs Byder, McLean, Aitchison, Smith, Boyce, Mansford and Mrs. Abraham. Mr. Mansford pointed out that the board should consider granting the honorarium as some compensation for time lost by the chhirman from his private business. The chairman, in reply, stated that while he was always prepared to do his best he didn’t believe in the professional chairman at all. He paid tribute to the sacrifices made by the late chairman (Sir J. G. Wilson) and added that it was not everyone who could give his services voluntarily and £IOO to a man engaged in his own work, could not compensate him for the time sacrificed. If, however, there was a member of the board in a position to follow the example of Sir J. G. Wilson, who had not accepted an honorarium and had refunded his travelling expenses, Mr. Hornblow said he would gladly resign in that man’s favour. The motion was carried.