CONTROL OF HOSPITALS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 October 1920, Page 5

CONTROL OF HOSPITALS.

NEW SYSTEM OF SUBSIDIES. MOKE FREEDOM FOE NURSES. {By Wire.—Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night. The main purpose of the Hospital and Charitable Institutions Amendment Bill, introduced in the House of Representatives to-day, is to provide a more equitable system of subsidies to Hospital Boards. The present schedule of subsidies dates back to 1801). It is a system that operates unfairly, the highest subsidies being given to districts that are the lowest rated and vice versa. The new schedule turns the scheme the other way about, and it district that rates itself high will receive a proportionately higher subsidy than the district that is able, owing to its capital value, to furnish its hospital requirements on a smaller rate. The Bill las been referred to the Public Health Committee, which will no doubt go into it very carefully. The schedule in regard to subsidies, in the amending Bill is a somewhat complicated one, worked out by actuarial officers and the department, and it is quito possible that it may be found advisable to appoint a special commission to deal with the problem. There ar,e •several other amendments in the Bill. Kor instance, the boards may grant their chairman a salary not exceeding £IOO a year. Hospital boards may I 'be required to appoint doctors and nurses for the treatment of persons, whether in hospitals or elsewhere, according as the Director-General of Health—the new term—may from time to time deem necessary. Boards must furnish estimates of receipts and expenditure. Additional powers are conferred on boards, subject to the approval of the Minister, in the direction of establishing bursaries for students of nursing or massage, and for pensions for" retiring officers and servants, not exceeding £•> per week after ten years' continuous service. Additional particulars are to be supplied by applicants for a licence for a private hospital. It is proposed that they shall give particulars of the purpose for which all rooms in the hospital are proposed to be used. It is proposed to jillow to all nurses in the service freedom from their duties for such periods, not exceeding 24 hours, at such intervals as the Minister may determine.