HOSPITALS BILL

Hokitika Guardian, 13 October 1920, Page 1

HOSPITALS BILL

THE AMENDING MEASURE. (Our Parliamentary Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, October 12. The main purpose of the Hospital and Charitable Institutions Amendment Bill introduced in the House of Representatives to-day is to provide a more equitable 'system of : subsidies to 'Hospital Boards. The present schedule of subsidies operates unfairly, the highest subsidies being given to districts that are the lowest rated, and vice versa. Tim new schedule, turhs the scheme the other way about, and a district that- fates itself ’ high will receive a proportionately higher subsidy, than the district that is able, owing to its capital value, to furnish its■" hospital roquifements on a smaller rate. The Bill has been referred to Public Health Committee. The schedule in regard to subsidies in' the 'amending bill is a somewhat complicated'one worked but by actuarial officers, and the Depart—ment and it is quite possible ’ that it may 'be found advisable' to appoint a special Commission to deal with the problem. There are several other amendments in the Bill. For instance Boards may grant theiir chairmen a salary not exceeding £IOO per year. Hospital Boards may be required to appoint doctors and nurses for treatment of persons, whether in hospitals or elsewhere, according as the Director-General of Health may, from time to time, deem necessary. Boards must furnish an estimate of receipts and expenditure. Additional powers are conferred on Boards subject to the approval of the Minister in the direction of establishing bursaries for students of nursing or massage, and for pensions for retiring officers and servants, not exceeding £5 per week, after ten years continuous service. Additional particulars are to be supplies by applicants for a license for a private hospital. It is proposed that 1 they shall give particulars of the pur- ’ poses for which all rooms in the hospital ’ and proposed to be used. It is pro- ' posed to allow all nurses in the service • freedom from their duties of such pe- > riods not exceeding 24 hours, at such 1 intervals as the Minister may deterk I mine.