NATIONAL SCHEME FOR SANATORIA

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 138, 1 September 1927, Page 13

NATIONAL SCHEME FOR SANATORIA

MINISTER’S HOPE HOSPITAL BOARD’S BURDENS (THE SUN’S Parliamentary Reporter .) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The financial operations of sanatoria in the North and South Islands was mentioned by the Hon. J. A. Young, • Minister of Health, in the House of Representatives this evening in reply to Mr. D. Jones. Mr. Young said that Pukeora and Otaki in the North were conducted by the Government, and Cashmere Hills and Waipiata in the South were in charge of hospital boards. He admitted that there was room for a review of the whole situation, and in fact this was being considered at the present time. The department was prepared to hand over the institutions to boards, but the boards considered it better to pay for patients rather than to take the sanatoria over. The remedy was to place the North Island on the same position as those in the South, and not vice versa. As soon as a definite scheme is arrived at, Mr. Young said, he would bring definite proposals before the Government. Mr. J. R. Hamilton: Will you see that it is done? Mr. Young: It cannot be done all at once. The hospital boards are really paying the maintenance, as some board has to guarantee the fee of every patient admitted. Mr. Jones: It is clear we are paying more than we should. Mr. Young: I do not know. I hope to get a national scheme.