HOSPITAL MATTERS IN THE KING COUNTRY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 503, 25 September 1912, Page 6

HOSPITAL MATTERS IN THE KING COUNTRY.

At Thursday's meeting of the Waikato Hospital Board a long discussion took place in connection with hospital matters in the King Country. Mr A. J. Laird, • coroner, Taumarunui, iorwarded a recommendation made by a jury at a recent inquest as follows:—"In view of the freciuency of accidents in and around Taumarunui the time has arrived when the local hospital should be considerably enlarged and the staff increased, and that the time has arrived when the Taumarunui hospital should be made a central hospital with the best available medical attendant." The Taumarunui Chamber of Commrece sent a letter emphasising the above requests, and suggested that in order to meet the expense which the improvements would involve an extra rate be struck over the Wanganui, Ongarue, Kaitieke and Ohura districts, which would be gladly paid by the settlers in view of the benefits that would accrue from the change.

Mr Chepmell moved: "That representations should b« made to the Government to have the Waikato Hospital District divided, and that in the meantime they be asked for a substantial subsidy in order that the hospital accommodation in the King Country might be increased." The position was an unusual one; he doubted if a similar one existed any where else in the Dominion.

Mr Kyburn seconded. In reply to a question Dr Douglas said that the hospital at Taurnarunui was exceedingly well fitted and equipped, and in many respects it was a model institution in fact, he doubted if there was another of its class so good in the Dominion. Itn accommodation had never been overtaxed, and its staff was quite adequate, and should the need arise he could always send assistance from Hamilton. The institution was not lacking in any way whatsoever. Mr Boddie, in representing the centre of the district under notice, said he had no sympathy with certain phases of the agitation now being got up. He, however, recognised that something would have to. be done; but he was not sure that the settlers would be justified at the present juncture in shouldering the burden of a separate institution. He knew it was impossible for the board to meet all the demands made. They might erect small hospitals at Te Kuiti and elsewhere, and with the Hamilton hospital available as the base, to which special cases could be sent, should satisfy the settlers. Looking at the financial aspect the speaker pointed out that the district served by the Taurnarunui hospital contributed £1202 19s to the board's fund, while the total cost of the upkeep of the branch institution was £649 fis. Allowing the sum of £SO for charitable aid in the district, it would be seen that the board did not suffer pecuniarily through the branch institution. (A member: What about the cases from that district treated in the Hamilton hospital?) Mr Eoddie said he had not the figures dealing with these cases, but he believed that in a large percentage of tnem the fees charged were paid. A meeting of representatives of various bodies interested would be' held at Te Kuiti at an early date when hospital and other matters would be fully considered, and, in view of that meeting, he would move as an amendment: —"That consideration of the question of a new hospital be deferred for two months, and that a committee consisting of Messrs Bailey, Kay, Shaw, Johnston, Keeley and the mover be set up to bring up a report as to the best course for the board to adopt." The amendment was seconded by Mr Dickinson, and supported by Mr Teasdale.

In reply to a question aa to whether the journey to Hamilton had hastened the death of the patient Lade, which formed the subject of the coronial inquiry referred to, Dr Douglas said he did "not think so, though he saw no reason why he should not have been taken to the Taumarunui hospital, which was only a few miles distant from the scene of the accident, and where he would have received prompt attention at the hands of the nursing staff. He (Dr Douglas) could have been in attendance at 4 o'clock the next morning. Whereas the patient did not reach the Hamilton hospital till after 5 a.m. There were sufficient instruments at Taumarunui to treat such cases.

The chairman expressed the opinion that there had been more trouble over the country hospitals than there had been with the local institution during the whole twenty years he had been ocnnected with the board. The trouble was* they wanted a base hospital, whether it should be at Taumarunui or Te Kuiti they were not sure; but they would not be satisfied until they got it.

Mr Chopmell withdrew his motion in favour of the amendment, and in doing so expressed the opinion that it was "absolute nonsense" for the Taumarunui people to ask for increased accommodation while the conditions obtained as outline;! by Dr Douglas.