Mangonui Objections To Amalgamation Proposals

Northern Advocate, 27 October 1949, Page 3

Mangonui Objections To Amalgamation Proposals

KAITAIA, Thu. (Sp.).—Anomalies in the draft proposals from the Director-General of Health (Dr T. R. Ritchie) for the operation of Northland hospitals amalgamation were criticised by the Mangonui Hospital Board at a special meeting yesterday.

This was directed principally towards financial administration and the powers of proposed local hospital committees. The lack of definite information regarding suggested proceedure in this respect was particularly objected to by Mr J. T. Clark.

if the board carried many political appointments. The meeting was of the opinion that committees should not be appointed, but elected. It was also decided to recommend that members of the initial local committees should be elected to serve until November 1953, thereafter to be elected every three years. A further recommendation was that local committee members be paid for attendance at meetings, including special meetings, at the same rate -to be paid to members of the amalgamated board. The chapman (Mr J. W. Hoskinl, Mr Houston and the secretary (Mr A. G.. Wilson) were appointed to represent the board at the proposed conference of the six Northland boards to discuss amalgamation proposals. It was suggested that this be held at Kaikohe on Friday November 4.

At the director-general's request the board met to frame sugestions regarding amalgamation, and was hampered by lack of specific proposals. It should have been made clear how routine matters such as payment of staff salaries and wages, were to be handled, members considered. It was decided to recommend for the consideration of other Northland boards that local committees should be empowered to submit estimates for local hospitals, and also that committees should be given the right to make immediate purchases up to a reasonable limit for urgent requirements. Tlie scope of the local committees should be defined at the outset rather than left for later amendment, said Mr T. S. Houston.

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Provided the amalgamated board was composed of members experienced in hospital administration, there would be little danger of local committee powers being curtailed. The same safeguard wou.lo not exist