HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12404, 25 March 1926, Page 11

HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

TOO MANY BOARDS DECLARATION BY MINISTER GREATER EFFICIENCY WITHOUT DIVISION “We have too many hospital boards already, and it is a great mistake to divide them.” said the Minister for Public Health, the Hon. J. A. Young, to a deputation yesterday morning. “We get more efficient service without division. "We have 48 boards in the Dominion, and I don’t think it is good to further increase the number.” The Minister was dealing with matters placed before him by a deputation from the Dannevirke Hospital Board, consisting of .Mr D. Drummond (chairman), L. Stein (member), and W. Dobson (secretary). Mr Drummond said that when the Waipawa and Dannevirke hospital districts separated an agreement was come to whereby Dannevirke was to have certain revenue from portions of the Patangata and Waipukurau counties. So far the Waipawa Board had not ratified the agreement because they were not sure the matter could be legalised. Dannevirke had the assurance of Waipawa, however, that if the matter could be arranged they were quite willing to carry but the agreement. Mr Young: There no question about the areas involved? Mr Drummond: None at *ll. Mr Young: There is no question about the service?—No.

Mr Young: The whole question is whether the arrangement can ho legalised ?—Yes. Mr Kissel, of tlie staff of the department, who was present, risked if it t| an agreement or an understanding? Mr Dobson: An understanding. Mr Kissel said there seemed to he nothing to prevent the Waipawa Board from entering into a contract with tho Dannevirke Board under section 71 of the Act to make you certain payments in return for patients from their district. That contract would require the approval of the Minister. One of the deputation remarked that he waa sure the Minister would make it possible to give what the intention was in the first instance. Mr Drummond: We interviewed the Waipawa Board, and they are willing to let us have the revenue from the area in question, provided we can get the arrangement legalised. Mr Young: You are simply asking for the legalisation of the agreement so , they can make adequate contribution to you for services rendered by you. I will look into the whole matter for you. and consult with the department. There mu9t be many phases of the question that require looking into.