HOSPITAL CARE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23491, 31 October 1939, Page 8

HOSPITAL CARE

BOARDS' OBLIGATIONS REMOVAL OF A RESTRICTION OFFICIAL EXPLANATION Reasons for tho abolition of a hospital board's control over the granting of relief to residents of its district by other boards, at its expense, were given by the Director-General of Health, Dr. M. H. Watt, in a letter received by the Auckland Hospital Board last night. Dr. Watt stated that previously the consent of the recipient's own board had been required unless it was shown that the need for relief was urgent. In a numbelr of cases the admission of patients to hospital for necessary treatment had been delayed because the consent of the hospital boards of their own districts could not be. obtained. The repeal of the statutory provision would make it easier for patients to obtain specialist treatment, which could not be had in the hospitals of their own districts. It would also enable people to enter hospitals in neighbouring districts if such hospitals were most convenient of access. The inauguration of hospital benefits under the Social Security Act had, of course, emphasised the need for a change in the law. In discussion it was stated that a patient's own board remained liable to the other board for all charges incurred in excess of the social 'security benefit of 6s a day, and some of the smaller hoards, were complaining bitterly.