The White Hoe Hospital should be a national institution, maintained by the Government, and patients should be admitted free of cost.
This proposal of the Douglas Town Council came before the Public Health Commission recently, when the Chairman (Mr R.G. Johnson) outlined the position in England, where a recent White Paper had referred to a scheme under which the local authority would receive £30 a bed from a central fund and all patients would be admitted free. Would the Douglas Corporation continue to supervise the white Hoe Hospital if it was properly remunerated?
The Town Clerk (Mr Percy M. Shimmin) said that was something new. If a definite proposal on those lines came before the Health Committee they might change their minds. The chief complaint against the present system came form outside districts on the question of charges. The cost to the Douglas rates was only 1.83d, but it was a serious item for the out-town authorities.
“Douglas is not awfully anxious to get rid of the hospital.” said the Town Clerk, “but there is so much pressure from outside.”
On a proposal that a while-time medical officer for the Island be appointed to replace existing district medical officers, representatives of Douglas urged that the town must retain its own medical officer. Representatives of the smaller local authorities approved the proposal.”
Questions to consider:
