Northern Medical Service-School Consolidation

Northern Advocate, 28 November 1936, Page 2

Northern Medical ServiceSchool Consolidation

(To the Editor.)

Sir, I was amazed when I saw the report of the Mangonui Hospital Board meeting. Although full particulars had been supplied in advance for each member, it was obvious that the board, as a whole, was not fully conversant with the proposals Bhd had not grasped the principles. It is to be regretted that the sponsors were not represented so that they could have- cleared up the misconceptions and mis-statements with which the meeting abounded. The Hokianga board is asking for the co-operation of the other three boards in an attempt to improve the existing system. The proposals involve a system by which, for the sum of £2 per household per annum (not per adult as was stated) the following can be provided:— (a) Free hospital treatment (no mere hospital bills).

(b) Free treatment in your own home (no more doctors’ bills).

(e) An organised campaign of preventative medicine. The rate would be reduced, as Mangonui would only have to find 26.9 per'cent, of the total local body rate for the area, while, at present, it has to raise 31.-8 per cent;-If the per household levy was raised to the suggested maximum of £3, this could be applied to and would greatly reduce the rate. These proposals cannot be put into effect unless the four boards co-oper-ate to have., legislation passed by which the dairy co-operative companies can levy the suggested £2 per supplier for health and by which the coming Government insurance scheme could be altered to include the Maori and hot: penalise the farmer to the advantage of the citydweller. Surely i€ is advisable that the four boards combine in policy to protect the interests Of the North. Yet the Mangonui board adopts a dog-in-the-manger attitude and is- willing to take just what the Government gives it. If the Mangonui board would cooperate to make the above proposals ■legally and - financially effective, • - it-, v/ould be possible to give the above service and to shift the burden of the cost from the ratepayer. The Maori would then be paying a share of the costs (1255. Maori dairy suppliers would pay £2510). I wonder how many realised that the £2 per annum would not only cover hospital- bills, but also doctors' and specialists’ fees? The Mangonui board appears scared that there will no longer be any control over the medical men. The reverse v/ill be the i case. The financial side would still be in the hands of the boards. They would still have the right to £ay whether top. much money was being spent.' ' , , 1 . p The statement that' the ratepayer would be hardest hit was wrong. That, of course, is the position at present. The ratepayer has to pay rates and also high hospital and medical fees, which are all the higher because others do not pay. Under the propos-! ed system the ratepayer -would pay a reduced rate and £2 (maximum £3) per year. Mr Matthews did not ■ see , where amalgamation would come in, as the hospitals would still function separately. The question is not one of centralisation; but of control and the true use as health centres for their districts.. ,

There appears to have been an effort to “pooh-hooh” the proposals, but surely the Mangonui : board-, as representating the ratepayers, . should go fully into the rv.atter and co'-<bperate with the other three boards to obtain improved medical service and financial security. The board states that the matter should go in full detail before the people. Let the people insist that the full details go before the board. ; ■

The question is now urgent, as the Government has sent out a questionnaire asking, suggestions and inviting our views. Yet the Hokianga Hospital Board is the only board that appears to be taking any interest and is endeavouring to have the interests of the farming community recognised. The other boards are taking the futile attitude of waiting until, the Government legislation has been finalised. We are simply adding on to whal we believe the Government is going to do. The Government is going to give an inclusive service to the wageearner and the low-salaried man. while we want to include everyone in our district. Simply a health insurance for everyone.

Our figures have been got out by a qualified accountant, and prove that the proposals are feasible. We are not even asking the other boards to endorse cur figures, simply the principle that we should have one efficient cooperative medical service for the North and that the cost be spread as fairly as possible and collected at the source of income. I am, etc., M. MULCAHY.

a few points, however, which we have apparently failed to make clear.

The small central hospital at Kaikohe,' which will ultimately, I hope, be built, is not a base hospital. It will toe the residence of the medicaldirector —his kicking-off place. It will have a few beds for the use of the Kaikohe township and also a few beds for special cases which the director jmay want under his own absolute supervision and personal observation. Our whole idea is not to cart sick people about, but rather to cart about the surgeon, who should be more capable of standing the trip. The base hospital, which you envisage, elaborately equipped and with a team of specialists, will, of course, be required and undoubtedly could cater for the large area you suggest, I hold ho considered opinion concerning the location.

We require, however, our own medical-director, who would do away with the anachronism of the one-man hospital. As you Say, there is no difficulty in deciding on the financial soundness of our scheme. We are actually forming an insurance company for 30,000 people, and it is peculiar in that we purpose making it compulsory. 1 <

Accurate acturial calculations can be made from accurate statistics, and this has been done. Ordinary insurance companies are profitable and reasonably safe. Our Insurance company will be safer still, as our sources of revenue will be ensured by Government legislation. Actually, we have made our acturial calculations on a £2 per family basis, and show a surplus of at least £3OOO, and are asking for legislation for a maximum of £3, The reaction of opposition which our action has induced and which you deplore, I think can partially be explained, and most charitably so, as the wellknown “pain of the new idea,” with its inevitable reaction to pain, producing in turn unreasoning opposition. In time they will become conditioned, then sane and then helpful.

I comfort myself by thinking of the words of G. K. Chesterton: “Do not quite forget we are the people of England and we have not spoken yet. 1 ’ I substitute Northland for England and address the hospital boards. Let us explain to the people and they will speak in no uncertain terms. I have no fear of the result. You, Sir, have helped very materially. I am, etc., ~ , S. M, SMITH. Medical Superintendent, Hokianga Hospital.