DEPT. "FISHING"

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 553, 9 June 1933, Page 5

DEPT. "FISHING"

(Press Assn. —

ROTORUA HOSPITAL proposal fd use eltesent isolation ward site " INSPECTION BY DIRECTOR

•By Telegrapli — Copyright).

Hamilton, Thursday. ; . . .i"' • ■ Further -information on the proposal that the Waikato H'ospi.tal j Board should take over the King . j Georgo V. Hospital, Rotorua, was requested in a letter received, by the board to-day from 'the DireptorGeneral of Health, Dr. W. H. ,Watt. "The f urnishing of . this information will quite probably entail some preparation arid for this reason I would suggest that a conference be arranged at a later date," stated Dr. Watt. "I consider that it wonld he a definite advantage to the board to have a peeial committee (or as many members as possible) and also. the medical superintendent and secretary visit Rotorua at an eai'ly date. I could arrange to meet them there. "In the meantime would you kindly give a ' brief indication . of any points thus far raised by the board. "One matter which no doubt the board wrill require elueidating is the position regarding free treatment of Maoris. The department is at present awaiting a legal opinion. on this mat- _ ter and this should be forthconiing next "week. "Another important aspeci of tlie . proposal from your viewpoint is of course the effect on tlie hoard's finances. So far as capital expeditiire ss concerned the department's heliaf is that in usiiig the isolatioXl hospital site an expenditure of £2500 is all .that is neeessary to provide a compact and' reasonahly equipped institution and 1 am prepared to racommend a grant to the board up to that amount. "It is anticipated that under normal conditions annual expediture on niaintenanee would not exceed £6000 gioss (i.e., for hospital averaging 30 to 35 occupied beds) and making due allowance for payments on accbunt of free treatment of Maoris, the distriet would be called upon to con'tribute not a great deal more than it is providing at present towards the upkeep of the institution." Government's Low Estimate "Our estimate of £8000 to run the place'is nearer than Dr. Watt's £6000 apart altogether from treatment of nafcives," said Mr. Ryburn. "As well as that what have the people of Rotorua to say abont it? It is evident that the site suggested does not commend itself to the residents." Mr. C. J. W. Barton eonterided that the director-general's letter was only a "fishing one" to find out the board's views. I11 his opinion the Government had- f blind the hospital was not paying and wished the h'oard to take the place over so that it could ( get rid of it. Mr. J. Banks (Rotorua), agfeed with the reference that the letter was a "fishing oue." Dr. Watt mentioned "a hospital averaging 30 to 35 occupied beds," but for the last two years the aVerage in reality had been 43 and 49 respectively. As well as that from published rettirns it had eost the Government £12,000 to run the hospital last year, with a prbbable slight reduction this year. When Dr. Watt suggested £6000 i'oK ihe board it showed he was satisfied that the Government could not run the hospital. It Was apparent that the Government and the b'oard did not want the hospital, but the fact remained that the people of Rotorua did want one. Mr. T. Hinton thought the board should put forward every effott not to take over the hospital. "We can't get away from the fact that the hospital is ih our distriet, and we get the revenue from the arsa," remarked the chairman. "If the Government threatens, the board will have to take over the hospital or else go to the expense of building another one." Mr. Ryburn explained that if ,the board met the director-general it would not commit itself. On the suggestion of Mr. Ryburn it was deeided that the House and Finance Committee, Mi*. Banks, the - medical superintendent, Dr. M. M. Hockin, and the secretary, Mr. E. G. Johnson, should consider the subject and following that the board should meet the director-general at Rotorua on June 21.