GALATEA PATIENTS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 155, 15 September 1941, Page 5

GALATEA PATIENTS

TREATMENT AT RQTORUA NiG REMISSION IN" CHARGES A report of the conference of representatives of the Waikato and Bay of Plenty Hospital Boards, held at Rotorua on August 19. tot cliscuss the operation of section 92 of the Hospital and Charitable Institutions* Act, 192,6, dealing with the cost of maintaining one district's patients in another district's hospital, was submitted to the Waikato Hospital l Board last week. Mr F. Findlay presided. The report read: v ln opening, the case lor the Bay of Plenty Hospital Board, Mr J. W. Sumner stated that his board was greatly concerned at the number of residents entering the Rotorua Hospital for treatment from the Bay of Plenty district, particularly from the Galatea area. Owing to the good condition of the roads and. means of transport, approximately 80' per cent of the patients from Galatea district went to the Rotorua Hospital for treatment, over which his board has 410 control, stated Mr Sumner. "The Bay of Plenty Board was at present paying £1800 .per annum for patients treated in other districts,, and for a small board this was a matter of concern. "It was pointed out that the Whakatane Hospital had the number of beds available and thei staff to cope with their patients entering the Rotorua Hospital for treatment. Also the Bay of Plenty Board employed a number of district nurses who . could deal with a large number of such cases. "It was suggested that the Wak kato board take over the Galatea, area, but Mr Price pointed out thai! this was a matter for the local authorities. "Dr. Bridgman pointed out thatf it was much easier and cheaper for the Maoris to come to Rotorua, also a large number of them had their friends in Rotorua;, in fact, the district nurse had endeavoured to persuade the Maoris to enter the Whakatane hospital, without result. ' "Mr Findlay informed, the Bay oft Plenty representatives that the Wai-r kato board had no control over pati-» ents from other districts; entering; its hospital as the conditions laitii down in Section. 94 (4) of tlie Hos-. pitals' Act had been repealed. It was arranged that the Bay of Plenty . Hospital Board should submit iit writing any representations for eou^jf:.' 1 j sideratictn by the board." The recommendation of the Houseand Finance Committee was that .the Bay of Plenty Board bei advised that the Waikato board could not see its way to make any reduction in the rate charged for their patients entering the Rotorua Hospital for treatment. The recommendation was adopted. —Post.