LABOUR'S PLAN FOR HOSPITALS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 59, 23 March 1945, Page 4

LABOUR'S PLAN FOR HOSPITALS

FROM persistent references made by certain prominent members of the present Government at last Tuesday's sitting of the Committee of Enquiry intoi Local Government, it was very evident that has a new plan for Hospital administration, which it is to be urgently hoped-will do away with the inequalities so patent to observers under the present system." No doubt the intense feeling in rural communities arising from the ridiculous figures assumed by the ever-growing hospital rate, has forced the powers that be to give urgent consideration to the question of modification and redress. One Minister, and three M.P.s last Tuesday spoke the possibilities of a 'domicilliary nursing service,' -which it was gathered was intended to meet the requirements of minor cases in the home, instead of consigning them without exception to the hospitals as is now the case. Hints wer.e also made at 'centrally based hospitals with the existing smaller country institutions, acting merely as outposts for treatment of cases offering no serious complications,' whilst there were pertinent questions asked of delegates as to the probable reaction following a straight out Governmental These things compel us to the conclusion that a new plan is definitely being considered for hospital financing. Possibly it is only in its embryo state at present, and possibly again, it will not take concrete shape until the Committee presents its findings, to the Government for active consideration and adoption. Whatever the plan, we, like all rural communities are impatiently awaiting its announcement. If without deteriorating the efficiency of the hospitals themselves as institutions, it can make for a fairer, basis of finance, by curbing the iniquitous hospital rate on rural lands, it will be greeted with immense satisfaction as a; measure which has been overdue for years.