[LINK] The Hospital Committee

[David Lochrin]

   One of our local hospitals was very quick to take up Mr. Howard's suggestion that they appoint a board of local citizens to manage its affairs.

   We quickly realised the problem was lack of money - I'm sure I don't have to repeat the usual saga of lack of doctors, nurses, and other staff, lack of proper equipment, and so on.

   As Secretary, I was requested to write directly to the Minister informing him of our urgent need for more funds, thus bypassing the State bureaucracy as enthusiastically endorsed by AMA president Dr Rosanna Capolingua - "Local boards mean the chair of that board can make direct representations to the health minister, make demands with regards to funding, the opening of beds and the needs of that hospital," she said.

   Well, the Minister was very sympathetic but unfortunately couldn't send a cheque - he said it was really now the Responsibility of the Board and, much as he'd love to help us directly, he couldn't set a precedent.  But he suggested we contact Gigantic Global Health Management Inc who, he was sure, could help us.  In fact, he said he'd send them a note.

   So I did so, and it seems GGHM Inc. want to take us over.  They said they'd manage everything and they'd pay the Members of the Board a very nice retainer to be the "interface" with the local Community.  But everybody would have to subscribe to a GGHM Inc. "health maintenance fund" which costs buckets.  And I'm not so sure we can actually sell the asset anyway....

   I really don't know what to do, and I thought the Link Institute might be able to help.

David