HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION

Taranaki Daily News, 23 March 1932, Page 13

HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION

EFFICIENCY MAIN CONSIDERATION. WHANGAMOMONA COUNCIL’S VIEW. Until it was clearly proved that it would mean reduced costs without loss of efficiency, the Whangamomona County Council has decided to oppose any alteration in hospital administration. That was decided at Monday’s meeting of the council after discussion of a letter from Mr. T. H. Penn, secretary to the Stratford Hospital Board, drawing the attention of the board’s contributory authorities to the effect locally of any such scheme as Dr. Begg’s for reorganising the hospital system of the Dominion coming into operation. The statistics of hospital management went to prove that the Stratford district ratepayers would have their burden of taxation materially increased by the proposed reconstruction, it was stated, whilst fees payable by patients would be raised. The board suggested a protest by the local bodies affected.

Councillor Law considered that any alteration of the system should be "strenuously opposed. In Stratford they had a well equipped hospital conducted on up-to-date lines that gave good service and was a credit to the district. Moreover, he considered the proposed alteration cams too late, as the Hawera hospital had just been built and the Stratford hospital had been brought up-to-date. He would not favour any reduction in the cost of administration at the expense of efficiency, as the first consideration should be the care of the sick and suffering. Unless he was assured that there would be better service at a lower cost he would not support any change. Councillors Ford and Gower agreed with him. The chairman, Mr. N. P. Cleland, said he understood the scheme proposed reducing the number of hospitals from 70 to 18. He would be sorry to see the Stratford hospital scrapped, as he knew from experience its efficiency and its value to the sick of the Whangamomona district. Councillor said lie doubted if the scheme was thoroughly understood. Councillor Law said he realised that the Government was out to reduce the cost of administration right and left, and rightly so, but that should not apply to hospitals. Councillor. Roberton said that reduction of costs was desirable, providing efficiency was not impaired.. The-chairman said that in some areas transport had improved so much that there was not. the same necessity for so many hospitals as was the case years ago, but for a. backblocks district with rough roads the position was different. The resolution of protest was then passed on the motion of Crs. Law and Gower.