PUKEMIRO’S MEDICAL NEED

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14775, 14 October 1921, Page 6

PUKEMIRO’S MEDICAL NEED

REQUEST FOR A DOCTOR. POSITION OF THE BOARD. The Department of Health forwarded to the Waikato Hospital Board yesterday a copy of a letter from the secretary of the Pukemiro Medical Society and the Director-General’s reply. The intention of the Board in the matter of medical services for that district was asked. The Society pointed out that at a conference in May the Board promised to supply a doctor at 11350 per annum, the Society to supply free quarters. A ballot was taken at the mine, and (his was agreed to unanimously. On July 15 the Board was advised of the result. Although the Society had not had it in writing, the secretary stated that the Board’s chairman had informed him that the matter had been referred lo the Chief Health Officer. After the lapse of two months the Society was still no further advance. The position with regard to medical attention was that the Society had a retained doctor at Hunlly. If called he had to go out by one o’f three trains leaving daily. On any night call he had to travel by velocipede. “This system of mcdic.il attention has been tolerated long enough now by the residents of Pukemiro,” the Society’s secretary wrote, “and proper alien I ion has to be placed here as there is another colliery opening up near Hie Pukemiro township, which means Hint within the next few months the population will be from 600 to 800. We have here built by the Pukemiro Collieries, Ltd., a substantial dwelling for a doctor's residence.”

Dr. Valintine, in his reply lo the Society, pointed out that it would he extremely difficult to And a suitable medical officer at the sum mentioned. Secondly, regarding medical service. Pukemiro was, despite certain drawbacks, very much better served than many places in the Dominion, having two doctors at Huntiy.

Mr Bailey said that at the conference at Hunlly the Board’s representatives advised the Society to apply to the Public Health Department for a medical officer. Mr Scaviil said that the Board representatives had promised nolhing but had expressed the belief that the subsidy would be available. The chairman (Mr Bailey) remarked that it would only he a year or two when the district would he a large one with the other mines to be developed. Mr Ryburn enquired if the velocK pedc could not be continued with success.

The chairman remarked that this did not work satisfactorily, as there were always four or five people to be awakened before it could be obtained.

Mr Johnstone thought that if Pukcrniro found £350 they should be put on the same level as Kawhiia. They should be apprised that the Board was willing to assist them to get the subsidy if (he Government would grant it, but that the Board was not in a posilion to subsidise from its funds.

The secretary said that Kawhia was in an entirely different position. The Department' would nut grant subsidy on account of moneys received for services rendered as was actually the position with Pukcmiro. All medicine and attendance, except maternity, was to he free to Hie individual. As long as they required free treatment from a subsidised doctor the department would say “No!” The secretary was instructed to write and place the whole position before the Society, pointing out that the Board was not in a position to subsidise.