MANIOTOTO HOSPITAL BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20710, 7 May 1929, Page 7

MANIOTOTO HOSPITAL BOARD.

TO THE EDITOB ?IB t — l notice that the Maniototo Hospital Board is calling tenders for the erection of a new hospital at Ranfurly at very short notice. Surely it aoes not expect builders to supply low tenders on such conditions. It looks me as if the present board is afraid that it will not be returned, and that it is making sure that the new hospital will be built at Ranfurly at any cost.. Should the I .hoard accept a tender in its dying hour? I hope the ratepayers will see tr it that a strong business board is elected (already there are rumours that the Devenny bequest is claimed by another institution), which will carry out their duties faithfully. In the board’s circular to ratepayers reference is made 1 to the small amount paid by the Naaeby Borough in comparison with the Maniototo County. This is hardly fair The board must not forget f'haA-it was the Naseby people who built the hospital, and I must say they ran and kept it well, and were very proud of it. What a comparison to the present board, which starved its walls outside and in, and is so ashamed of the hospital that it wants to build a new one.—l am. etc., May 4. Hon Pabatds.

TO THE EDITOR. SlB,—A statement has recently been Issued by. the Maniototo Hospital Board endeavouring to justify its actions during the past three years. This statement would be amusing were it not so puerile. In fact, it can be summed up as “no defence; blackguard the other side.” An advertisement has recently appeared in your columns inviting tenders for the erection of buildings at Ranfurly, These tender close to-day. A meeting of the board is called for the 7th inst.. and the election of the incoming board takes place the following day. The question of the removal of the hospital from Naseby to Ranfurly has been before the ratepayers for five years. At the election hold three years ago the present board ‘was returned by a very small majority. Tbe severity of the weather prevented a larg*- number of ratepayers in the outlying parts of the district from recording their votes, or the personnel of the board. would nave, been very different. ’ This move on the part of the board in endeavouring to hamper the actions of its successors in office savours of sharp practice, and is in strong contrast to that of the late Prime Minister (Mr Coates) in the political sphere.—l am. etc., Plat the Game, -Wedderburn, May 6.

‘TO THE EDITOB. Sir, —As so many of the ratepayers of Maniototo are in favour of having a consulting doctor for their hos’pital, may I quote an extract from Dr M. T. MacEachern’s final report, published in the Bulletin oi the Hospital Boards’ Association of New Zealand, January, 1929: —“Consultations should _be encouraged as an important factor in increasing the professional effi cienoy of the institution. The old adage ' two heads are better than one,’ appliesmore truly in hospital practice than anywhere else. Diagnoses and therapies are varied and complicated. No doctor, be he physician, surgeon, specialist, or general practitioner, can ever know all about medicine. Past surveys reveal the fact that the majority of hospitals are failing to make use of available consulting services. Four parties at least benefit through the consultation—(l) the patient is assured of a more accurate diagnosis and better treatment; (2) the requesting doctor is supported in his conduct of the case and his responsibility is shared; (3) the consultant’s knowledge and experience is broadened; (4) the hospital is,better pjro : tected from inefficient work, as the consultation acts as a deterrent to wrong pror cedures. Friendly, tactful counsel and a co-operative consulting attitude means much to support the proper procedures oi to act as a deterrent to improper pro cedures; and this can be done and maintain the goodwill and confidence of th<patient in the family doctor. The prac tice _of still needs more of the spirit of the ‘ Big Brother' movement a« , an antidote to the bickerings and jealousies sometimes existing, and as a stimu lant to co-operative thinking und acting in the best interests of the patient. This ■Will do much to increase the genuine i.sefulness of hospitals to the community ’ After quoting so eminent an authority, I will add no more—unless to say that the ratepayers should vote for the candidates - who are anxious to have a consulting doctor for the Maniototo Hospital.—l am, etc.. Dictum Sapient: sat est,