THE PARTIALLY UNFITS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2778, 24 May 1916, Page 6

THE PARTIALLY UNFITS

COST Or OPERATIONS. A question relating to surgical opera tions required by men declared partially unfit, in order to make them fit for active service, was asked by Mr. T. M. Wilfonl in the House yesterday afternoon. Mr. Wilford asked the Prime Minister, whether ho could, as a matter of policy, mako some arrangement by which men suflcring slightly from sucn complaints a* varicocele, who'were recommeuaed for immediate operation by the examining medical officer, could be treated in the hospitals. The Government might arrange that the hospital authorities would Im paid for these operations. He mentioned, two cases. Both men were line physical specimens, and the doctors advised'them that they could be quickly cared. One of the men went to the hospital with a recommendation from the examining doctor that ho should bo admitted. This doctor told him that he would be fit to light in two months. .Ho was told at the hospital that if he wanted to go in for medical treatment he would have to pay. 'l'lie Hospital authorities had closed down on free treatment for such cases, and could not take any more. He asked whether, if he agreed.to pay, he could' have his own doctor, and the reply was that he oould, but tho cost would be X 9 or .£lO. This man' did not care to pay this sum. Ho (Mr. Wilford) was informed that these cases were easily cured, and many of the men concerned had not the money to pay tor- tho operations. Ha suggested that the Government should agree upon some policy whereby the Hos. pital authorities should accept these men for treatment. He believed that the Auckland Hospital did these operations without charge. He was quite ture, how. evor, that the country would not objcct to pay. Mr.il'assey said that the honourable member had better give notice of his question, in order that inquiries could be made. He was not prepared to answer out of hand. He had been informed that arrangements had been made with every hospital board, in New Zealand to treat these cases free of charge. He promised to make full inquiries.