HOSPITAL BOARDS CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 October 1924, Page 3

HOSPITAL BOARDS CONFERENCE.

[p.V TKLKGIIAmi —IM-IR PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

VARIOUS PROPOSALS SUBMITTED WELLINGTON. Del. 7.

At the Hospital Board’s Conference n remit from Whnngnrei that the Government he urged to remove the anomaly wherein) medical dubs contributing to Hospital Boards for mediral services in country districts, can make no preferential charge in favour of members under oain of forfeiture of all subsidy in connection with such service, was carried.

The i|on .Malcolm (North Otago) moved that the Health Department should have prepared a standard plant for all classes of hospitals which could he amended from time to time as experience suggests. .Mannwatu proposed the Government he urged to amioint to the stall’ of the Health Department an architect available to Hospital Boards. Dr Valentine said the Department was very willing to assist Boards. They had made certain arrangements wilii tlie Public Works Department, and also had inspectors. The question of a standard plant could lie dealt with. There would lie no dual control. The Public Works had set aside a mail to do the work. The Department’s proposals were in no way compulsory. The Conference adopted the ALilinwalu remit., with a nrovi*e that the scheme should not lie eomimlstiry. In regard t-*i loans raised hv Boards the following remit, was carried;—Thai wlen rn 'i.ev is raised by lean .or lmspita! construction, the term should not he for more than twenty years and interest nayahle hv the Boards on loans be contributed by a local authorities levy and. Government subsidy in equal proper! ions. An interesting discussion took iduee on (lie iirineiole of providing wards in public hospitals for paying patients, witieli was affirmed, the patients in private wolds to he at liberty to engage their own medical advisor.

Air O. 11. Chapman said the principle would create a class distinction in a democratic country, which would he. dangerous, hut his remark was greeted with cries ol “rot.." Dr Valentine (Director-General of Health) stated it was optional lor the Boards >" make such provision, which In* favour" d. Ite* would lit** lo see **1"" Board magnanimous enni'gli to give “ a I rial. The quest imi ol making hospital I rani dehent Hies available for iuvestnient, of t nisi funds is to he brought, before the Prime Minister. 11 was resolved that the Education Department be compelled to pay lull fees instead of IDs ns ill present. A remit, was carried that eomneiisntion moneys in nreiilenl cases should nut. he paid out where fees lor hospital treatment in eiinneetioii with an accident were unsettled, without lb" aiiprnval of the Hospital Board, and that the Act In* amended .arrordiugly.

A proposal to introduce a scheme of national health insurance w:is referred to the Department. The chairman said the Department was investigating tin* matter anil obtaining tin* fullest information from Hi.* Imperial Government. mu! was awaiting lhe report of an Australian cninmissimi v. hu ll was lonking into the matter. SUPERANNUATION. WELLINGTON. October 8. At the llusnital llonrils Confeielne. Air K. E. Killiek. .Secretary of the Health Department, made a statement regarding the proposed legislation for a Stale glia ran teed superannuation fund for llosliiinl employees by the amendment of the National Provident Fond Act, 1 DLL All contributions by the Boards’ employees would carry a 27 per cent subsidy nod all boards would become contributors on behalf of the permanent, employees. 'The legislation includes nurses with a provision for tlie inclusion of part time employees. The benefits include n pension at the age id ()■*) for men and * )7 for women, earlier retirement after 20 to 30 years’ service and 18 years membership in the fund, with refunds at death or on leaving the servile. The statement was referred to a. special committee to report.

THE AIATKRNITV QUESTION. WELLINGTON. October 8

A motion urging the Health Department to consider the question of providing maternity nurses for all ennfineiiients, was carried to-day at the Hospital Conference. The matter was introduced hv a remit urging the Government to grant- a maternity bonus to all eases who enter public hospital maternity wards. During the discussion Dr. A alentiue said: “God forbid that we should ever have a bonus such as is given in New* .South Wales. They have given away £770,000 in maternity bonuses, anti in the words of a New South Wales official they have absolutely debauched, the people.” He thought they ought to make maternity as cheap as possible, but at the moment was not sure how it could be done. He sincerely hoped they would not ask for an.v scheme such as that in vogue in New South Wales. In his opinion the best way to help the mothers was to have doctors and trained nurses available at a very reasonable cost. They should have trained maternity nurses right throughout, tlie districts.