HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID.

Otago Witness, Issue 3383, 15 January 1919, Page 21

HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID.

PROPOSAL FOR SEPARATE DISTRICT. ; > A conference with respect to a proposal to establish a separate hospital and charitable aid district for South Otago wa's opened on Thursday morning at half-past 10, and lasted till nearly 2 o'clock. The conference was between the delegates of- the Otago Hospital and Charitable Aid Board (Messrs W; E. S. Knight, A. E. Quelch, and Dr H. Lindo Ferguson) and representatives from Ralclutha and its neighbourhood (Messrs A North, W. S. Maslin, and A. S. Malcolm, M.P.). Some discussion has already taken place on the proposal, and Mr Malcolm moved in Parliament in the matter, but there have been no tangible developments. Hence a revival of the matter yesterday morning, the purpose being to arrive, if possible, at unanimity, or perhaps a withdrawal of opposition by the Otago Boa.rd to the separation of the South Otago district. - Mr Knight, who was voted to the chair, in the course of his opening'remarks, said the board wished to hear what the delegates from South Otago had to bring before it. He held, as ho did when the last conference was held, that it was not the function of ..the board to discuss separation. They had come there with an open mind to listen to any argument the South Otago representatives were prepared to bring forward. Mr North said that South Otago was still determined to form a separate hospital district, and the object in having the conference was to settle minor details in an amicable way. They wished to treat the board fairly. They "felt strongly that their district would be better served by having a separate district. Their contention was that they were so isolated, and that the bulk of their people were so far away from Dunedin that the board was not in touch with them to the extent necessary to provide the 'most . economical management of the institution. Whilst wishing to form a separate district, they did not wish to prejudice the Hospital Board. They were under the impression that it would be -to the advantage of the board if they were separated. The district was really too large and unwieldy to be managed by one body of men. For instance, thev had a member on the board from the Clutha who represented a district over 50 miles in length. He thought they would realise that the severe epidemic that lately passed over the country showed the necessity for closer touch and management than they could at present receive. Dr Ferguson: Is the proposal that you cut adrift altogether and take your own charitable aid work and work a hospital for yourselves? M r North replied in the affirmative. Mr Malcolm: Have you any proposals to make to us?

The Chairman: As far as separation is concerned? . Mr Malcolm: Yes. Continuing, he said that the v were agreed that there should be hospitals in the South Otaffo district, and the only difference between them now was os to what control they should be under. They had all along expressed their willingness that the Ehmedin Hospital should remain as a specialists' hospital. Another question mentioned at the last conference was the payment of fees by well-to-do indi vidnals. They recognised that medical men with special knowledge weflre entitled to their fees. They raised .no objection to the fees paid in private hospitals,., nor did they object to specialists insisting upon patients being sent to private hospitals. At the last conference Mr Talboys had asked whatthey would do in the case of an epidemic in, South Otago if they had a separate district. Well, the epidemic had cor.ie ; and it had answered Mr Talboys's question. It had made it more 1 plain than ever that they must have a separate hospital district in South Otago. The board had not been able to do anything in that case for the people in South Otasro, whioh showed that the central organisation, in Dunedin was

a disadvantage, in dealing with an epidemic. They must have an organisation whioh in the future would treat such an epidemic in a practical and experienced way. If a separate district were established in South Otago they would be able to rely upon local enthusiasm for the support of their institution. One gentloman was prepared to give five acres of valuablo land if a separate district was formed, and they could make appeals for the 3ick in a way which could not be done by tho present board. Although it was a matter for Parliament, they all recognised that there was a great deal to bo gained by settlement by consent. One advantage was that if they came to ah agreement they would at once set to work raising money and making other arrangements for their hospital. So far as he could see, the establishment of a hospital at Balclutha would do the board no harm at all, except tho loss of a little prestige. The recent epidemic had shown them that thev must havo organisation on the spot. They felt that they were a large enough district to have a hospital of their own, and that fchsv were entitled to manage it themselves. Should the board oppose them they would bo justified in taking measures to get the sanction of Parliament. / In the course of conversation that followed Mr Malcolm asked what the board's object was in insisting on keeping control. They must have an organisation, with authority and experience, that w°uld be able to step in and deal with an epidemic. They thought they were a large enough district to manage for themselves. Dr Ferguson: It seems to me that the position is that we are very glad to have a conference with you, but we are going to have our own way. He proceeded to make some references to the Medical School, and said he did not understand what a hospital at Balclutha meant. Did they want four beds, 40 beds, or 400 beds? . Mr Malcolm: According to requirements. Dr Ferguson: But what do you want? Mr Malcolm: Say about 20 beds for a start and going on to 40 beds.' .Dr Ferguson said that there was always a considerable demand for more beds than could be supplied. They could not possibly equip an hospital for special work in tho country. The delegates did not realise their troubles if they had a separate hospital. He was speaking 'from a medical point of view. \Mr Maslin said that he had been struck with the want of anything in tho shape of hospital accommodation in South Otago. He wondered how the people there had submitted to such a thing. He understood that as a result of the recent epidemic the board was anxious to establish cot'tage hospitals, but that would not meet the needs of the South Otago district. Mr Quelch said he could not help thinking that one of the chief reasons why South Otago was going for a" separate district was that the Balclutha people were not satisfied with the levy that had been made on thorn. It was quite true that the levies/had gone up, but it had also to be remembered that there had been a revaluation, ofi the district, which had increased Clutha's rates more than the levy of the board. Dunedin could, "only keep up a specialists' ward by having a very large district, and it was only by combining large districts that they could maintain a specialists' ward. Mr .„ Knight said he 'could not conceive how the board could consent to a separation. The -delegates from the south had asked to establish a separate district, and to establish a hospital at Balclutha, and . probably one at Owaka.. He took it that any patients they were unable to deal with would be sent to Dunedin for treatment at current rates. That was all very nice from South Otago's point of view, but no good from the board's point of view financially. The board had entered into big obligations from time to time so far as° equipments, extensions, and necessary buildings were concerned. Now South Otago was going to cut itself adrift and proposed sending special patients to Dunedin for treatment at current rates, and relieve itself of any further responsibility in connection with contracts entered into by the board. It was all right from South Otago's point of view, and if a Bill came before Parliament the board would have to oppose it. At present the board was committed to an expenditure of £30,000 at Wakari. Mr Malcolm pointed out that the South Otago people had protested against this, and had given notice of intention to quit. Mr Knight said that that did not enter into the question at all. In the interests of humanity alone that building had to be gone on with. The board was committed to the erection of that building and Clutha was naturally included. It would be a peculiar thing indeed if Parliament permitted this separate district. If Clutha was allowed to separate, why not Palmerston, Waikouaiti, and also the Taieri? And all that was proposed to do was to erect two little hospitals, and at the same time relieve themselves of any further expenditure There were many cases admitted to the Dunedin Hospital that did not require special treatment, and South Otago would find that it was denying its' people the privileges they now enjoyed. Mr Malcolm emphasised that what Soutn Otao-o sent to the Dunedin Hospital, South Otago wanted to pay for, and this view was supported by Mr North. Mr Knight, continuing, said that if the Government granted South Otago an institution for the treatment of ail cases they would not oppose them; but they would oppose them if they endeavoured to cut themselves adrift and ask the board here to take every case they were unable to treat, and then deny tho board tho right to make a levy on them to keep the specialists' ward up to date. He could not see any possible advantage to the South Otago people in wanting to separate. If they were out to establish a separate district, with all tho necessary institutions, thr>n the board would have no complaint. . Mr North said they were asking for rcallv nothing. *Tney were prepared to provide for their own sick and take all the responsibility. They had endeavoured, in tho interests of both parties, to come _to_ an amicable arrangement, whereby specialists' cases could come here and bo paid for. In regard to Jhe Wakari Hospital, they had South Otago's most emphatic protest before that arrangement was entered into. In some cases tho board went too fast, and that was ono of them. Mr Knight: Then do you intend to erect a sanatorium of your-own? Mr Maslin : You know that that cannot be done. The department won't allow it. Mr Knight: Then any case 3 occurring in vour district will have to bo admitted to {he institution hero at the current rate. Dr Ferguson: The matter, is not much further forward than it was when wo

started. We are simply beating the air on side issues which are becoming wider and wider as they are further discussed. Mr Malcolm said ho did not know that further discussion was going to benefit them. Tho chairman had apparently decided that no argument could weigh with him, but he (Mr Malcolm) hoped tho members of the board might not agree with Mr Knight. They were quite willing' to consider on what terms they could get a separate district. They wanted to control their own affairs, and hoped when the matter came before the board members would be able to meet them. If they could not do so South Otago would, have to do the best it could. They would be sorry to have to proceed further in the matter without the goodwill of the board. Although they desired a separate district, they were willing to discuss on what terms. Mr Quelch: You , have to get your separate district fiivsK The terms will come in afterwards. The conference then ended.