HOSPITAL FEES.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 January 1924, Page 4

HOSPITAL FEES.

RICH AND POOR PATIENTS

[BY IELEGHAI'H

-mat I'fcnss association.]

CHRISTCHURCH, January 23.

Tiic VVaireua County Council wrote to the North Canterbury Hospital Board to-day suggesting that patients, who could a {Ford to go into private hospitals, hill wiio go into public hospitals, .should tie charged higher fees than those charged to poor patients.

Tim Chairman (Mr H. J. Otley) said tnat all emergency eases and all accidents were taken into hospital but tlie Board collected all fees that could he collected, and care was taken to pre\nit people from obtaining advantages Pi which they were not entitled. Country residents felt that the fees should be higher, but many town patients could net-afford any more than was charged at present. If a, man did not pay what ho should pay, the Board took stars to compel him, even if it had to sue him.

Mr V>\ E. Leadley, said that the Board took precautions to prevent wealthy persons from using the Hospital. Ho moved that the County Council should he informed of the position as stated by the Chairman, and he asked. to state spied nr cases ol wealthy people getting into the hospital.

Rev. .T. K. Archer said that the hospitals should treat all people in their districts, rich or poor, lie sympathised with the rich who were excluded from tin expert departments in the Christchurch Hospital. People should bo charged according to their capacity to pay, but once inside, all should he treated alike.

'|-(on. It. Moore said that if the doors were thrown wide open, the Hospital must engage a large stall, and il must Pe remembered that the doctors on the honorary staff at present gave their services gratis.

Mr S. Andrew said the Board should have a paying ward lor those who needed special treatment, and who were Milling to pay for it. At Christchurch hospital he was convinced that the honorary staff would not object to lin'd arrangement..

The Chairman said it would got over the difficulty to increase the fee Imm 8s a day to say 12s, and arrange for a reduction in certain cases.

Dr. Fenwick (a member of the honorary .staff) said the question had been unsolved ever since the first hospital vas opened in England, hundreds ol years ago. lie continued: “\\e are always glad to serve poor people. At the same time, it i, very galling when you find that some body nhn is better ( It that you are lias sneaked a. bed that should he occupied by a poor person. Its a dirty theft. That's all it i“!” Mr I.eadice's motion was carried.