HOSPITAL BOARD AND PENSIONERS

Hokitika Guardian, 20 January 1925, Page 4

HOSPITAL BOARD AND PENSIONERS

The following regard* inn pavilion ts to pensioners ny the West hi ml Hospital Hoard, lias appeared in the Grev Hirer Argus:— Westland Hospital Board. Secretary’s Office, Ilokit ilia, lltli, Jan. 1925. To Old Age Pensioners, Hokitika. Dear Sir.—-We have been in cominnnicatioil w i tli the Health Department as to the legal position of pensioners in our Institutions. We have now a definite reply, giving us the exact status of all pensioners admitted to the Hospital or Home. Their legal opinion is. notwithstanding Section Id of the Old Age I*ollßloll Act, no pensioner has any claim on the Bool'd for free treatment or any refund of pension allowance. They emphatically ■state that pensioners are in no different position from any other person seeking admission to our Institutions. I hey are fully liable for the 9s per diem for maintenance. This being the case any allowance given to you by, the Board is a gratuity, and I am directed to write to all relatives of Pensioners informing them of their liability to contribute to the maintenance of pensioners in the Hospital or Home. The cause of this letter is the disloyal action of same of the inmates to several members of the Board. wlikTi caused Mr O’Brien M.P. to state that yon felt there had been something taken from you that was legally yours. This is not in accordance with fact. For the legal opinion of the Department emphatically states you have no claim on any part of the pension while an inmate of any Institution. Hoping this letter will make the- position unite clear to your mind. I lemain, vein's faithfully, ' (Sgd.l-T. W. BlUrt’K. Secretary.

Westland Hospital Board, Secretavv’s Office, link Mika. To relatives of Old Ago Pensioners. Hear Sir.— After a lengthy communication with the Health Department as t:> the status of old age pensioners 111 nip- Institutions they have clearly defined the legal position which is, no pensioner has any claim for free treatment or any claim on his pension ''bile an inmate of any Institution. Ike Department points out to us that relatives of pensioners are liable ior ihei parents’ maintenance in the Institution. . 1 am therefore directed by my Boar-1 to ask you to supplement the Boaid’s gratuity to Old Age Pensioners by making some contribution to your relatives keep while in the Hospital. The Board is losing £2 8s per month on the actual cost of every pensioner in the Institution, and we desire you to contribute something towards this loss as we are of the opinion you would not like to led that your relatives are in receipt of charitable aid. T hanking you for your consideration hereof and an early reply hereto. Tours i'nithfullv, (Sgd.) T. W. Bit U K. Secretary.