SHARP EXCHANGE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 45, 2 February 1945, Page 5

SHARP EXCHANGE

HOSPITAL BOARD INTERLUDE SA NATORIUM DISCLISSI ON The subject under discussion at the Whakatane Hospital Board's meeting was the setting up of the proposed Tubercular' Sanatorium for the Auckland and South Auckland districts when Mr H. G. McCready interpolated by alleging that the laxity in the control of infectious cases locally demanded more than mere discussion of a T.B. institution. Mr McCready alleged certain patients had been allowed to come and go from the hospital at a time when they Avere recognised 'carrier^ Tlie chairman (Mr L. Buddie) said he did not know of any foundation for the statement, but recognised that the staff Avas doing its utmost to cope Avith the difficulties of the limited accommodation at. their disposal. " Mr McCready: You're not concerned one iota about this thing. The only thing you're interested in is the signing of the cheques!. Mr Suckling objected strongly to such adding that he for one as a Board member AA'as not prepared to take them. Mr McCready: You're going to take them. If you want publicity I'll give you all the statements you want. The chairman.: We are not prepared to accept, statements made out of pique or venom. I am prepared to do my duty. It does not matter Avhat happens, as long as I am elected chairman I will continue to do what I consider right and- fair in the interests of the institution. When, the Board does not require my services then I will stand doAvn. Mr McCready: The public is going to know in any case. Make no mistake about that! Mr McGougan: If these things that Mr McCready allege© do go on then it is still a further argument for the erection of the proposed sanatorium, 110 matter what it costs. Mr Mullins: We are out to protect the. ratepayers, as much as anybody, but Ave have to use logical reasoning. From what I gather I can't see that Ave are going to be committed to any greater cost thfin at present. The secretary (Mr A. Bridger) saitl that Opotiki Avas going to stand on its original contention that the control and treatment of T.B. Avas a national matter and that the Government would pay both capital and maintenance. Mr Mullins who was the Whakatane delegate to the conference explained that he had actually moved a motion that the Government should shoulder maintenance costs as AA'ell- but had been beaten. He suggested that the whole matter be left in abeyance until the vieAA's of the. Wellington Hospital Board's conference Avere available. The Avhole matter could then be discussed at the next meeting of the Board. As the conference starts on February 5 (Monday next) it Avas decided to aA\ T ait the outcome and then discuss, the prospects of the Whakatane Board being interested in the South Auckland proposal. (The proposal to establish a sanatorium in the South Auckland for the. treatment of tuberculosis Avas discussed at a meeting last November, AA'hen it was suggested that an institution of 150 beds, should be financed by the Government and maintained by the Hospital Board in the area. The Hospital Boards involved were the Auckland Waikato ' ?• Thames, Whakatane and Opotiki. The information reaching Whakatane in that event if the other Boards are not jn agreement Auckland will carry on Avith a project of its OAvn. As there is a large percentage of Maori patients in this and other Bay of Plenty districts the scheme is of great moment to the Whakatane Board anid its out--3 come Aviil be watched with interest. Ed,)