Hospital Chief Visits New Zealand

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 254, 17 January 1928, Page 13

Hospital Chief Visits New Zealand

GOLF AS A HOBBY NEWCASTLE’S FINE INSTITUTION Mr. A. A. Rankin, the Newcastle (N.S.W.) solicitor, who arrived in Auckland this morning by the Maunganui with the New South Wales golfers, has two hobbies—golf, and the Newcastle hospital. Newcastle, the largest industrial city in the Australian Commonwealth, recently paid New Zealand the compliment of securing John Coyle, of the Wellington Hospital’s administrative staff, as secretary. A. recognised expert in hospital matters, Mr. Rankin is renewing an acquaintance obtained a year or so ago with the New Zealand system. The Newcastle system, he says, is partly voluntary, inasmuch as *3d a week is deducted with the consent of workers by employers from their wages. Employers also make contributions, while the Government subsidises the total sum obtained. In the past, he says, this has worked very successfully, but his board is now seeking an amendment from the Government asking for additional powers. Newcastle Hospital is an institution with 300 beds, and is the largest country hospital in Australia. In addition there are 40 beds in an admirably situated convalescent home, which is some miles distant. A nurses’ home with accommodation for 70 bedrooms is now being erected in the coal city.