AMALGAMATION OF HOSPITAL DISTRICTS

Chronicle (Levin), 23 October 1947, Page 7

AMALGAMATION OF HOSPITAL DISTRICTS

WHANGAREI, Oct. 22. The Local Body^Fomipission, undei the ehairmanship of Mr. Justiee Gold stine, today opened an investigation oi ihe Government 's scheme for the ainal gamation of the six northern hospitai distriets under the control of a centrai board representative of the distriets, each of which would have a local advis orv committee. A base hospitai with full staff of specialists, would be estab lished at Whangarei and to it would bt sent from the cqnstituent distriets, cases deemed to require specialist treat ment. This scheme has been the sub jeet of controversy for several years the main objection being that the big ger distriets would bear an unfairl; high proportion of the cost. This ob jection has undergone revision in the light of the Government liaving fixed stabilised hospitai rate of .5d. The Hospitai Boards have set up a joim specialist committee and contend thai under that scheme they would be abl to provide everything which woulu come from the Statc's amalgaiuatioii pian which originally envisaged tlu appointmeut of doctors at strategio poiuts in the north, the doctors being assisted by district nurses. ' The Health Department 's representative, Mr. von Keisenberg, urged loday that the coordinated scheme would break down boundaries and by the pro vision of a better service, would rendei necessary less visits by patients to Auckland for,, specialist treatment. From the administrative #tnd health points of view, greater eflieiency would accrue from an amalgamation. Volnminous. evidence lias been forwarded to the* commission by local bodies.