HOSPITAL POLICY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2878, 16 September 1916, Page 11

HOSPITAL POLICY

NEEDS FOR COUNTRY PEOPLE. In replying to the resolution of tlio Dominion Conference of the Farmers'; Union, the Hon. G. W. Eussell," Minister of Public Health, states:— "I beg to acknowledge your letter of August 9, conveying a resolution from your union to the effect that all •hospital boards .should make arrange-, ments wliereby all parts of their districts may be provided with suitable medical' and nursing attendance. . .''The matter referred to in the resolution of your union deals with a large question of policy, and in fact relates to the whole basis and superstructure of the present hospital system. At present the administration of the, law is based on the broad principle ,of large and fully-equipped base hospitals, which are open to residents of town and country 1 alike. Thero is, however, a growing demand by country residents that they should more directly participate iu the- benefits of the system by the establishment of country hospitals and special nursing for, their district. I gather, the resolution of your union favours this development. As already indicated, this represents a wide change of policy from the existing system, and cannot Ife brought about without aclear mandate from tho people through Parliament. If this mandate is given, I shall be at once prepared to submit to Cabinet'proposals to give effect to tho suggestion of your eonferonce."