HOSPITAL SYSTEM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21328, 1 November 1932, Page 10

HOSPITAL SYSTEM

BILL THIS SESSION FEWER DISTRICTS POSSIBLE CENTRAL BOARD NOT PROPOSED [I)Y TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Monday .A bill to ensure tho better working of the hospital laws of the Dominion will be introduced by the Government this session. It is understood that the bill is mainly a machinery measure, but that among a number of important proposals, it will contain a provision whereby tho number of hospital districts may bo reduced if it is shown, after full and proper inquiry, that such action is justified in the interests of efficiency and economy. It is known that the Minister of Health, the Hon. J. A. Young, and the executive of tho Hospital Boards Association, havo been in close conference recently regarding the making of certain amendments to the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, arid no doubt some of tho recommendations of the National Expenditure Commission will also bo incorporated in tho measure. However, it is fairly safe to say that tho commission's proposal for tho establishment of a board of hospitals will not bo adopted. There aro 45 hospital districts in tho Dominion. Within tho last year or so the number has been reduced by two, owing to the merging of the Picton and Wairau boards and the re-absorption of Matakaoa by the Cook district. Before any reduction in the number of districts could take placo thero would have to be a properly-conducted inquiry in tho districts concerned, open to and under tho eyes of the public. All the par ties interested would then bo given an opportunity to state their cases. Possibly an inquiry would be made by a magistrate or other suitable person acting as commissioner. After considering his recommendation, it would be for the Government. to tako such action as it thought fit. From what can he gathered it is understood that the bill proposes no interference with the constitution or the representative nature of hospital boards.