RESTORING THE SYSTEM

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 4 March 1932, Page 2

RESTORING THE SYSTEM

HOSPITAL REFORM LEGISLATION REQUIRED (By R. Campbell Begg) The plan for reorganisation of hospitals that has been suggested and supported by the Wellington Hospital Board has been described as drastic, and wild terms such as “destroying our hospital system’’ have been used about it. How little drastic it -is can be seen'by the small amount of legislation required to implement it. Indeed the term “restoring our hospital sy.lem” would be its best description, for much of what has grown into the present administration is simply excrescence which conpeals the simplicity of the original plan. A NATURAL DEVELOPMENT The Board of Hospitals was not contemplated in the year 1909 when the Act was first drafted, but neither was the increasing complexity of the Health administration and the difficulties of applying the extraordinary advances in medical science. That the Health Department must now be strengthened by a section dealing solely with hospitals is a natural development, and twentyfour years of administration of the Act have proved its necessity. The Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act Consolidated, 1926 consists of 156 sections and eight schedules. Subsequent amending Acts deal with amalgamation of districts such as Picton and Wairau. A large number of the sections of the Act and the fifth schedule deal with special provisions. made for separate , boards and districts. These ' all interfere with the simplicity of working and should be eliminated. 'tin-order to constitute the new eighteen districts it would be necessary _ only to alter schedule 1., which specifies the present areas, with an extra schedule establishing the class A and class B base hospitals. The method by which the new districts would secure their representation is embodied in the present Act, section 10, paragraphs 5, 6 and 7. The Board of Hospitals would appear in that section of the Health Act, 1920, which names the component parts of the Health Department, and its functions and powers would be specified in the Hospitals Act by altering those paragraphs which relate to powers of the Minister which would be taken over by the Board of Hospitals and adding any necessary sections iri' rfespect to -the functions of that body, together with provision for appeal against its decisions should that be considered advisable. REASONS FOR URGENCY

The main provisions of the Act would remain unaltered. The Wellington Hospital Board urged that the matter be faken up during the emergency session, and for several reasons. In the first place it seemed probable that the social services as a whole would be discussed at this session, and it was desirable that those interested should have time to consider this or any other constructive scheme so as to be able to give a considered opinion if requested. In the second place hospital boards are required to make their estimates for the vear in April, though doubtless this matter could be adjusted later. Lastly, and most important, it was known that the deplorable state of the national finances would be disclosed at this session and that the position was so immeasurably serious, and beyond all precedent, that the most drastic and revolutionary reduction m the available for hospitals was a probability and the situation would require immediate adjustment. A hospital boards’ conference was opposed early this month because it was believed that the discussion of a large 1 series of remits would not be of material advantage. It may be that a conference called in Wellington, at which every member would be fully acquainted with the solemn crisis which the country must face, would now be productive of good in strengthening the hands othe Government. It would only be effective if every delegate were prepared to bring what constructive suggestions he could to meet the emergency, and to examine in the most sympathetic and unbiased way the proposals of others. One thing is certain, that whatever can be done the sooner it is accomplished the better. Procrastination in matters of economy may be _ venial at other times, but at present it is the solvency of New Zealand that is at stake. Delay in meeting national crisis usually spells disaster. The only permissible order of reference at such a conference would be how to effect drastic reductions in expenditure while maintaining or increasing efficiency.