HOSPITAL MERGER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4823, 17 April 1925, Page 2

HOSPITAL MERGER.

# THAMES AND WAIHI BODIES. DR. VALINTINE’S REPORT. At Wednesday’s meeting of the Thames Hospital Board a discussion ensued on a lengthy report submitted by tlie Director-General of Health on the question of the amalgamation of the Waihi hospital with the Thames institution.

lu answer to Mr Kennedy the chairman (Mr W. E. Hale) said that in tne event of the Thames board not agreeing to the amalgamation of the two hospitals the Waihi board could be amalgamated under section 64 of the Act.

Mr Kennedy said he understood that the Waihi board was losing about £lBO a bed a year, and he was of .the opinion that the board could not expect to make its institution pay if it took patients from outside its district. It appeared to him that if the Thames board did not agree to amalgamation it would ultimately be compelled to.

The chairman ’said that he would never agree to amalgamation on the' terms submitted by the Director-Gen-eral.

Mr Robinson favoured a committee' being set up to go fully into the matter.

Mr Danby agreed, and- said that he thought the amalgamation should only be considered on a sound commercial basis. As far as he could see, the basic principle of the amal' gamation was to accept responsibility fofr the financial deficiency of ths Waihi board, and it was necessary tor the Thames board to consider every aspect. He thought that the whole of the hospital district, should be recast so as to include Te Aroha andi portion of the Piako County, as well as Waihi. Mr Robinson said that in that case Paeroa, geographically, would become the centre of the board's district. The chairman said that he was; strongly opposed to the amalgamation minder the suggested terms. Mr Kennedy pointed out that owing: to the state of the finances of the Waihi Borough it was scarcely possible for that borough to carry bin hospital. The chairman mentioned that no definite request had beeii receive! form Waihi.

Mr Brenan said that although the' terms were not acceptable, he thought ■ that owing to the geographical position of Waihi legislation would compel the Thames board to agree to the proposal. He did not see why the ratepayers to the Thames board : should be penalised to the extent of assisting the Waihi board. Each' member should have time to thins the matter over. After further discussion it wasmoved by Mr Robinson that a committee comprising the chairman and : Messrs Danby, Kennedy, and Brenan’ be set up to go into the matter ands bring down a report at the next meet--ing