Hospital Commission.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 June 1921, Page 4

Hospital Commission.

A BRISK BODY

WELLINGTON, June 10. Royal Commissions are usually el-edit-ed with a capacity lor ;taking their duties at a leisurely gait, but the Hospital Commission has completed its report within six weeks oi commencing its work. This is rather a record in such a sphere ,especially as the Commission had to consider and report on the complex subject of hospital subsidies ,with a view to devising some more equitable arrangement for distributing State funds than is now the case, because the most deserving and needy hospital districts do not necessarily get most assistance from State. The Commission had to examine 122 witnesses. In addition to reporting on subsidies it will deal with a number of matters relating to hospital administration, and is likely to make a special point of th e necessity of having attached to large public hospitals a ward in which patients capable for paying tor their own medical or surgical attendants may 1h« treated. This will give them the advantage of the highly efficient equipment usually provided out of the rates for hospital patients. Unless a person is unable to pay the cost of a private surgical operation, he oa,nnot secure the advantage of tho exceptionally fine appliances at public hospitals, even though-he is willing to pay an acle- , quote foe. There are only a few private hospitals in New Zealand possessing equipment equal to that of the

principal public hospitals, and it is believed that the Commission will strongly recommend the Government to authorise the establishment of private wards at public hospitals, so that those who can pay for special treatment, and want to use the appliances which they as taxpayers have had to pay for. may be able to do so on equitable terms.