HOSPITAL POLICY.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 February 1926, Page 3

HOSPITAL POLICY.

VOLUNTARY TYRE COMMENDED

[liY TELKGIUriI—PKII J’ltlOSS ASSOCIATION

NELSON, Feb. ID. In an address before the BALA. Conference here, Dr .Malcolm MacEaehern. the noted .American notion ity on hospital organisation, snide - l ‘\\ bile • 1 here are a variety of hospital policies in existence, it is difficult to find one that is entirely perfect. Every country must: consider this prolslem in relation to its own particular conditions and ein iinistaiiees. The voluntary community hospital, subsidised

as uecc-sury Irom the consolidated revenue ol the state and of the municipality. over and above the earnings, consisting of the tees from the patients and the Departments, prevails in the overwhelming majority of countries at present, and .NO.'.‘o or fiOOO institutions are sueees.sf ul! v operating under this system.”

Dr MacEaeheni su;■ . uuis.-d his general views on huspn.! , oiicy as follows :-

(I) The voluntary community hn.spils‘ ta! subsidised, as required, by governhe menial and municipal aid, in addition to patients’ leas ami earnings from ol- the depart men ts, is the great reeog--1,- nixed hospital of tile age. |] s (-) Taxation hospitals, U'rorei ieali.v lor the necessitous poor, tend too much to the nationalisation of hospitals, which, so far. In various sporadic attempts in America and eiswhere, have I'Cen regarded as failures allowing too much political interference. rouie tineism. lazy, lax service, and the rer> larding of medical research, as well as .q oeing a tremendous financial burden on Lhe community. c Ci) Ellorts should lie made to stiin- >' ul,'ite more voluntary support to hospitals. I his i- Pc-t carried cut lliroogli H' a system of annual and life gifts, with h power to nominate representatives on i, the Boards ol Trustees. (I) 'lhe public wards of every hospital should be used only for the necessitous poor, and treated hv a voltin- (> lary stall'. <■)> Every hospital should aim at i- providing services for all clinical types, h and dillerenL grades ol accommodation lor patients ol varying financial MatI US ' . Hi) lhe s.vset m ol tax rale is not as economical and desirable as indenting on the budgets of the municipality x and the state the necessary subsidy each year, which varies with fluctuating demands on institutions, r (~) The community type of hospital oilers the most, economical, and is less

j a burden on the taxpayer. It raise: I be pioiicieney of tlie medical profession. renders by all means the best • scientific service to the people, a seri vice tempered by all Lite qualities necessary to keep the hospital human. The community type of hospital .stimulates more community interest and pride, resulting in attracting honefactinns or gilts for the development of the departments, and particularly for the: carrying on of research, which is so essential to medicine to-day. (8) No hospital policy fur a country such as tins can be developed without due (ousideration ot the various districts to lie served, and the establishing of |)rc,per relations between the ba.-e and subsidiary Institutions through a scheme of co-ordinal ion and co-operation. Any extension of hospital servile nitisl be under definite control, with proper allot tnicnts of the institutions where needed. Dr MiicEnehern considers there are far too many small and inefficient, hospitals the woild over, ami that more concentration of hospital work in base ins!, it id ions is necessary, where the u-e of scientific equipment is provided and where specialists are available. ILM. A. CONFERENCE. NELSON. Feh. 20. the 8..A1.A. Conference the following' officers were elected : —Chairman of" Council, Dr 11. E. Gibbs, (Wcllyington): Honorary General Secretary, Dr I). E. benwick. (Wellington): Executive Committee :—Dr W. Irving (Christchurch). Dr AY. Young (Wellington). i)r !). Stout (Wellington); Editor of Journal, Dr J. E. Elliot! (Wellington). 'I lie nomination n! president elect was left in the bands of Hie Dunedin division whore the next conference will be held. The weather was beautifully fine during the eouferenee. The delegates spend the week end at Lake Rotorua.