THE FUTURE MANAGEMENT OF HOSPITALS.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1246, 5 March 1878, Page 3

THE FUTURE MANAGEMENT OF HOSPITALS.

The following circular on the future management of hospitals has, says the “ Otago Daily Times,” been forward'd to the various hospital committees in the colony : “ Colonial Secretary’s office, “ Wellington, February 14lh, 1878. “ Sir—The Government, on taking office, found that the hospitals and charitable institutions throughout the colony were being managed upon no fixed principle or system, and that it was absolutely necessary to place them on a more satisfactory footing. “ Up to the end of December, and till the new Financial Arrangements Bill took effect, it was impossible to change the existing state things ; but from that date the principle (Government have endeavoured to bring into operation is one which is at once comprehensive, uniform, and practical. In the larger town Governments have hitherto maintained a most unsatisfactory control and paid the expenditure, recovering it, however, from the borough subsidies. In the outlying localities and at Hokitika, a grant in aid, differing in some instances, but commonly 20s for 20a of subscriptions, has been given, the local body taking charge as a hospital committee. “ It is proposed for the future,wherever possible, to place the hospitals of the large towns under the direct control of the municipalities, and to subsidise them to the extent of 20s for every 20s of subscriptions; and as the remaining cost would fall on the Borough funds, to make no deductions whatever from the subsidies. In the outlying hospitals, although it 1 is desirable that an elected body should have the control and management of the hospital, still where a commit!ee exists Government will continue the grant in aid equal to the voluntary subscriptions, and make no charge on the subsidies whatever. “ It will be necessary, of’course, to satisfy <he I Colonial Secretary, as hitherto, as to the amount of the voluntary contributions ; but Government do not desire to interfere in any way with the local management of those inst itutions.—:l have the honour, Ac. (for the Colonial Secretary), “ G. S. COOPEK.”