HOSPITAL SYSTEM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20300, 6 July 1929, Page 16

HOSPITAL SYSTEM.

REPORT ON ADMINISTRATION.

ALLOCATION OF RATES.

PUBLIC INSURANCE SCHEME.

[by telegraph.—pnrcss association.] WELLINGTON, Fridny

The executive committeo of tho New Zealand Hospital Boards' Association concluded its meeting to-day. A proposal that tho question of taxation for hospital purposes be reviewed, with a view to arriving at a means of apportioning the burden more equitably between (own and country ratepayers, was made tho subject of a report to be submitted to hospital boards. The com mit.teo expresses tho opinion that so long as tho policy in regard to fees, charges and collection of foes is developed step by step with tho increasing utilisation of our public hospitals, and so long as boards meet the reasonable requirements of outlying districts in tho matter of emergency and maternity hospital accommodation, ambulance transportation for hospital cases, and district medical and nursing services, there should.bo no justification for altering tho incidence of local taxation in tho direction proposed

Figures compiled by tho . department last year show that of G6B contributors to the superannuation fund who left the service of hospital boards during tho period of 12 months, 547 withdrew their contributions from tho fund Of that number, howevor, 181 woro pupil nurses, who did not complete their training, and 271 wero nurses who withdrew within three months after com pleting their training. Suggestions for amending tho Act, either in the direction of excluding nurses in training from the superannuation scheme, or of preventing tho withdrawal of contributions until 12 months after notice 's given, were submitted. It was Felt however, that hardship would result if cither suggestion were given effect to. Tho question of amending tho Act was accordingly deferred. Superintendents in Country.

The executive was asked to report on a proposal that boards controlling isolated country hospitals should combine in ap pointing a relieving medical superintend ent. Tho proposal was not considered practical. Tho suggestion is being made that where such a board is unable to obtain a suitablo locum tenens for its medical superintendent, it should approach tho board of a larger hospital for tho loan of a member of its resident medical staff, reimbursing his salary and expenses. It is believed that larger boards will bo glad to extend all assist ance in their power.

It was further considered that tho dilfi culty to which the remit draws atten tion could bo overcome to a great extent, if each small board, alone or jointly with a neighbouring board, offered special inducements to a good medical man to practice in tho district, and take appointment as a visiting medi cal officer to tho hospital. Group System ol Control.

Tho general conference at Palmerston North adopted recommendations put forward by the executive, that hospital boards should combine in four groups, two for the North Island, and two for the South Island, for the administration of tuberculosis sanatoria. For tho present the executive has appointed the Otngo Board to be the convening board for the group embracing the Otago boards, and the eight boards included in tho Waipiata scheme.

Tho executive has been directed by the general conference to investigate the desirability of a contributory scheme for free hospital treatment. It is believed that facilities for insuring against hospital expenses would bo welcomed by , a considerable body of tho public, and the association is endeavouring to obtain further information regarding tho experience of similar schemes at Home and elsewhere.

Mr. J. K. Hornblow, chairman of the Palmerston North Board, was appointed a member of tho executive, in place of tho Rev. R. B. Gosnell.