A DOMINION PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 September 1924, Page 1

A DOMINION PROBLEM.

WELLINGTON, Sept. 10. The existing framework of our hospital organisation is too massive for the needs of the Dominion, and even with a great increases in our population it is more than questionable whether some of the existing hospital districts could show any logical reason for an independent existence from neighbouring districts, declares the Di-rector-General of Health in his annual report. lie adds, however, that, amalgamation- are dillicult task- to accomplish, and attempts in the past have resulted in failure, bocal sentiment runs high, and the depart incut is expected to provide tangible facts and figures to s-si| >- port it s propo-al* for amah'.ama! i"n. :i I .-lim.-Ili ol Ia I na t lire Hot be mg siiHieieiit. bmvevcr obvious. 1" bring about tin* desired result. Rrielly it ntiiv be stilted that this is the only serious drawback and handicap to a hospital system which has been the subject of favourable comment all the world over, and Inis been, or is being, adopted ill other parts ol the Empire.

11l districts of SiiHieieiit size to comprise boi h a base and a secondary hospital we find little if any increase in the expenditure or in the enlargement of secondary institutions, which merely serve as feeders lor the mailt institution. In neighbouring districts, however. where there is no base hospital, We find precisely similar secondary institutions developing into base bospiials. with till the resulting expensive buildings, equipment, stall’ and technique. Nothing tie- department can to keep hospital expenditure within reasonable limits and so lighten lit* burden on the rules and the Consolidated Enmi. can have any effect unless it is clearly understood that a policy again -l the further splitting up. of districts is strongly adhered to. further. this i-hould lie accomplished by general recognition ol the desirability of, and a mm ciuent towards, amalgamation of many ol the existing dis-

During the year subsidies paid lj> hospital hoards lo L 1117.11-, or LL.’, -V-.'! less than Dial estimated and appropriated, hut the amount of subsidies outstanding at the close of the year was CUM Ml more than was .estimated. The 'expenditure nil account of subsidies was C'21,!)!17 less than the previous year, which in turn was C I'-’.-d” less than the year preceding. The amount reipiired for the current vear will probably show an increase’ of about 0120.000. some Col),000 of which will he due to the now maintenance subsidy rates, and some CJO.O'IO will he represented by increased capital expenditure. Many hoards are showing a laudable desire to tinanee their capital underlakings by means of a levy I subsidy instead of by lengthy loans.