GO SLOW ON EXPENDITURE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17880, 23 June 1926, Page 4

GO SLOW ON EXPENDITURE.

DR VALINTINE’S ADVICE TO HOSPITAL BOARD. NEEDS OF COUNTRY DISTRICTS REVIEWED. The necessitv for caution in regard to expenditure was stressed bv the Director of Health, Dr Yalintine, at a meeting of the North Canterbury Hospital Board this morning. Dr Yalintine waited on the board to outline his policy with respect to expenditure on country hospitals. Since he had last met the board, Dr Yalintine said, he had had the opportunity of discussing hospital expenditure not only with the present Minister of Public Health but also with the Prime Minister, and he was advised that as regards hospital expenditure they must go very carefully. It was not for him to say that there were bad times ahead of the country, but at any rate he had gathered that the financial position had caused some concern. It was on this account that he desired to plaqe the question of expenditure on country hospitals before the board. He wanted them to review the matter dispassionately. He was absolutely agjainst any extension of country hospitals, but on the other , hand he was very much in accord i with the ideas of the board to extend maternity accommodation for the people of their district. “ We don't want any more country hospitals,” Dr Yalintine declared emphatically. CHATHAM ISLANDS. In proceeding to review' the proposals of the board Dr Yalintine dealt with the requirements of Chatham Islands. He said that it seemed to him absurd that an expenditure of £SOOO or £6OOO should be considered. The population, Maori ,and European, was 439. There was no place in the world which would have an elaborate hospital such as had been suggested for the C'hathams for a population of that size. At the same time they must recognise that the people were isolated and that some kind of hospital accommodation was required. He suggested that the board should provide a house with a ward attached. This could be the centre of the district nurse's activities and she could take one or at the most two patients It would mean an expenditure of about £IOOO. If thev had a district nurse co-operating with the doctor now there it would be sufficient. It would be necessary for the nurse to have someone to assist her. The board had to consider not onlv the first cost, but the cost of maintenance, which was really the crucial point. Mrs E. R. M'Combs asked if the pro* posed expenditure covered accommodation for such domestic staff as would be needed. Dr Yalintine said that his idea was that the nurse would be able to take cases in the hospital, or she would be able to nurse patients in their own homes. She would have the assistance of a nurse or a competent woman. There would be only two at the utmost for this work. He did not think that the board would be wise in having a larger staff. The chairman of the board (Mr IT. J. Otley) expressed doubt as to whether

the expenditure of £IOOO would be sufficient to . provide such a building as was proposed. Dr Valintine replied that he had been advised by the technical expert of the Department as to the estimate. DARFIELD DISTRICT. With regard to Darfield, Dr Valintine said that the township was thirtyfive miles from Christchurch, and the extreme confines of the district were seventy-five miles from Christchurch. Roughly there was a population of 6000. He thought that a maternity hospital with four beds, which could be extended, would be sufficient. That would involve a staff consisting of two trained nurses and a cook and housemaid. He estimated that the cost of the building -would be £3500 to £4OOO. Mr W. E. Leadley asked if the question of a casualty ward had been considered. Dr Valintine: I do not think it is necessary. It is thirty miles from Christchurch by a good road, In reply to the chairman, Dr Valintine said that there would be no objection to dealing with emergency accident cases at the hospital. Mr F. Horrell urged that Darfield ought to have a casualty ward on account of the extensive district. Dr Valintine: I have no doubt that we can arrange something like that. LITTLE RIVER’S NEEDS. “ I am afraid that I can't agree with the proposal to establish a maternity hospital at Little River, ” said Dr Valintine- “ I think you might pay the nurse the same as at. Amberley and allow' her to collect her fees. ” POSITION IN CHEVIOT. Speaking of Cheviot he said that the position was difficult—the district being isolated. The population was 1100. This meant that there would be an average of 25 births in the district. All that would be required at Cheviot was a district nurse’s cottage with possibly two beds attached for maternity cases. Cheviot was 35 miles from the hospital at Waikari and there w'ere fairly good roads. It would be possible if necessary to get an additional nurse from Christchurch or Waikari. NEW MATERNITY HOSPITAL. Dr Valentine recommended that as Lincoln was the centre of a fairly large population a maternity hospital of four beds be provided on the same lines as Darfield. Dr Valintine in conclusion asked the board to consider his proposals seriousl\’\ because as he had already indicated they had not too much money to spend just now. The claims of Little River to a maternity hospital were advanced by several members. In referring to Dr Valintine’s proposals, the chairman said that he would have liked to have done more. He thought that Little River should have some consideration. Later the chairmen reported that Dr Valintine had agreed to think over the suggestions regarding Little River- The board was in honour bound to give the people of Little River something. The chairman thanked Dr Valintine for his attendance. Dr Valintine later left for the South.