HOSPITAL FEES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1805, 18 July 1913, Page 7

HOSPITAL FEES.

WELL-TO-DO PATIENTS. SHOULD PAY FOR TREATMENT The Inspector-General of Hospitals (Dr. Valintine) has written to tho hospital boards of tho Dominion with regard to the collection of fees from patients in tho public hospitals. Dr. Valintine draws the attention of tho.boards to the following facts:— (1) .The growing tendency on the part of persons who aroWell able to pay ordinary modical and nursing fees to seek admission to tho public hospitals of tho Dominion. (2) That this tendency has necessi- , tated hospital boards largely increasing the accommodation for all claSscs of sickness. (3) That, not without reason, many local authorities are protesting at the gradually-increasing expenditure, especially on account of persons who r can pay the whole or part of the cost of their maintenance. (4) That it is necessary for boards to look to an increase in the revenue . to be derived from maintenance fees to meet the growing cost of our institutions, rather than to an increase in the levies on local authorities. (5) That mauy hospital boards liavo not inade a serious effort to augment the income to bo derived from tho first named source. ' (G) That there is no uniformity with regard to tho maintenance fees charged by the various boards. 'In view of the above," tho letter continued, "I would suggest that tho boards of the Dominion adopt a uniform maintenance fee of .£3 3s. per week. This need not entail hardship on those who cannot afford to pay the full fee, or even part of tho fee, as it is quite within the powers of a board (vide Section 70) to charge according to their means for treatment received, and to mako a rebate in the case of any person unable to pay tho full maintenance fee. Each case should be dealt -with on its merits, as' the officers appointed by the boards to inquire into the ability off patients to pay foes may advise. I submit with all confidence that much can be done to increase the income to bo derived from maintenance fees without in any way inflicting hardship. 1 "More rigorous inquiries should also be made as to tlio means of those applying for admission to our institutions, as the beds should undoubtedly be reserved for those who are not ini a position to pay the ordinary fees for medical and nursing attendance." The letter, is to receive the consideration of tho Wellington board at a futuro mcoting.