PUBLIC HEALTH.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 6 April 1926, Page 6

PUBLIC HEALTH.

DISTINGUISHED AMERICAN’S INVESTIGATIONS. - By Association. WELLINGTON, April 5. .... Dr, M. T. MacEachern, Associate Director of the American College of Surgeons, returned to Wellington after a tour of the North Island, during which ho inspected hospitals in various centres, and conferred with Hospital Boards and members of the medical profession. Dr. AlacEaehern is now engaged in drawing up his report on the hospital system of the " Dominion. Coining as they do from a recognised authority on hospital administration j his 1 recommendations will be looked forward to with keen interest by all connected with the hospital system, of this country,. “I have just completed a trip through the North Island,” said Dr. MncEncliern. “I found great interest and enthusiasm in regard to hospital matters. Meetings of the British-Medical Association, Hospital Boards, and staffs of hospitals were held at various centres at which I gave illustrated lectures on hospital administrations and policy, stressing particularly tho principle of organisation, co-operation, co-ordina-tion, efficiency', economy', and service. Throughout most of the tour I found the need of more co-operation, between boards and voluntary' medical staffs, and this ivas the subject of much deliberation in various centres which I visited. For the success of the Dominion hospital system, the Department of Health, Boards, the British MedicalAssociation, and honorary' staffs must co-operate to the maximum degree, as they are all working for the common purpose of service to the patient. If these four groups, with the public, cooperate in the hospital system of the Dominion it will, I am sure, result in the greatest success. Throughout the entire tour th*re was intense interest in tho. idea of tlie community’ hospital; it was a subject of spontaneous discussion at every' turn, not only by' Boards and doctors, but also by the public with which I came in contact. I found a great need throughout the country, of more hospital publicity. Public meetings hold during the tour showed distinctly that the public, and particularly the ratepayers, were extremely' anxious to know more about what their hospital should lie. and what tho standard should be. This is something which eoukl bo carried on, particularly on national hospital day (May 12), blit a’so throughout the year, b.v Press articles, lantern lectures, and other means. The Press of this Dominion is only too anxious to get this enlightened information. The confidence of the community’, and their pride and enthusiasm- for the local hospital could thus be aroused and fostered.” Dr. AlacEaoliorn will remain in AVellington till Friday, during which time he will bo studying some of liis findings. preparatory to submitting a provisional verbal report to an important round-thc-tablo conference on AA rednesday, of representatives of the Health Department, Hospital Boards, and members of tho British Aledical Association.

Dr. AlacEaclrern will deliver a public address in the Town Hall on AVedliosduy evening. Ho will be officially entertained at dinner b.v the Health Department oil Thursday, and will speak at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Friday. Ho will leave for Auckland tho same evening. 1 Dr. MacEac-hern will bo a passenger bv tire Aorangi, for A'anrouver, on the 13t'n instant.