THE CITY'S BURDEN.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2012, 20 March 1914, Page 3

THE CITY'S BURDEN.

TUBERCIftAR PATIENTS.

AT OTAKI SANATORIUM,

■ A long discussion was raised at the meeting oi the Hospital, and Charitable Aid Board, yesterday on the. question-of admitting, patients from outside districts to the Otaki The matter was raised by Mr. B. it. Gardener, who, in aecorcfance- with notice previously given, moved; "That alter March 31 this board refuses to admit patients from other districts S'o[ treatment at tho Otaki Sanatorium arid the Seddon Shelters."

; In' support of his resolution, Mr; Gardener said that Wellington was treating about 20 per cent, of th<? consumptive patients of the Dominion. The Wellington district only contained about 10Q,0U0 people, about one-tenth of tho total population, and it seemed extraordinary that they wore supplying about 20 per cent. of.the consumptives. Each patient was costing them about £60. Wellington was getting ail ex* pert out, and he did. not see- why-they should encourage paiients from outside districts, at a loss to themselves. One of the reasons for the. motion was to see if the Goveimment was going to grant them any assistance. It was not fair that the Wellington Board should be put to such a. cost when other 'boards we're doing very little in the "vay of dealing with tile, question. It cost them £3 10s. to'maintain, their patients, .and yet they took' outside patients for £2. ■ Mr. G. Nash seconded the. motion. • Mr. H. Baldwin wanted to knatf' had the board power to refuse, to take pf ti* ents. To. Ms miiid, they could not. i'efuse, while they had room to admit them. He thought to pass the motion would he a wrong step, "i Tho Eev. H.- Van, Sta>veren agreed that they should eeonosiise with regard to the sanatorium, but looking .at the matter from a. liutftattitariavt, point, lie did not think they could turn the patients'away. They had a duty to perform, not only to themselves, but to those who were suffering. ; Mr. F, Castte thought Mr. Gardener's object was good in wanting, to relieve ratepayers in Wellington from paying. for outside patients,- whose maintenance. should • fall on the districts from which they came. The question Was more than a,'local one, and, the. Act rriade firovision for outside patients. They rnd power to hold other hospital boards responsible for tho payment) and_ he moved thai the Hospital Oomttiittee should consider conditions and payments for outside patients. , Mr. J. W. M'&waii seconded this amendment.

'•' Mr. H. Baldwin: What are we. losing? The estimated cost'for this year is £2300. '

Mr. Nash: We are losing £1000 a year.

: Mr. Baldwin? £1000 a year. It's not so' much for alleviating suffering.

Mr. J. Smith: If it .dogs aost us : a few thousands wo have to meet it, ■ We. have to give the children a chance. It the Government did right, they would erect certain sanatoria, to whieb alt patients should go. Suitable employment on the laud should be found for such patients.

Mr. Nash thought that by passing the motion the Government's, hand would bo forced) to caayout proposed farm colonies for such patients. Mr. D. Robertson thought, the. matter, should be- held over till the .new tubercular, officer arrived. He *a& certain when that orßefif. arrived- they would have to. taifee the matter up'in a. practical way. ;•■■■■..

.Mr.- Gardener,'hi''rtjply,'said that it was not a ' question -of huhi'afiita-i-ia.n principles. Ohtisichuiroh'' had ■_, turned down a scheme to admit outside .patients. It w-js purely a bttsittess question, and the ratepayers' interests should bo considered. The Jack that the county had been out up into sixtythree hospital districts bore put his as-, sertion that' eash district- slioaid bear its proper share. Wellington had quits enough to do to look after their own patients, without- going outside for others. When he brquglit- una proposal that oSiside patients should be charged £3, bis motion v/as/rejected. After further disetißrioii,, 'Mr. Gardener withdrew his motion in t : a»om'' of the amendment by Mr, Castles, that tie. Hospital Committee should consider the question of special conditions with regard to all outside patients to be admitted to hospitals in the Wellington district. This was carried.

On the motion of Mi*. Nash., it was also decided that Messrs. Smith, E-VjMis, arid Gardener should frail upon the Minister of Public Health (the How. R. Heaton Rhodes), to- ask the. Government's intention with regard to farm colonics, and.jnatters appertaining to the treatment of eonsumption.