OUT-PATIENTS’ FEES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4760, 6 October 1924, Page 2

OUT-PATIENTS’ FEES.

• HOSPITAL BOARD’S DECISION. ** MINIMUM CHARGE TO BE MADE. At the meeting of the Thames Hospital Board on Friday letters setting out the scale of fees charged tor attendance on out-patients in five hospitals in New Zealand were read. The chairman, Mr W. E. Hale, said that it had been the custom to attend out-patients free at Thames in the past, but as the board’s finances were very limited the information from other boards had been obtained with a view to fixing a charge at the local institution. In view of the information before the board, .the chairman said that he favoured a charge of two shillings for all out-patients being made in the future. The charge, although a nominal one, would be of considerable help. Mr G. Death concurred, and said he understood that fiequently trifling cases presented themselves for treatment and took up a lot of the staff’s time, and, generally, were a continual drain on the finances. He was of the opinion that if a small charge was made there would be a reduction in the number of out-patients attended. Ip reply to Mr Kennedy the secretaiy said that over two thousand outpatients had been treated last year. finally it was decided to make a charge of two shilling a visit, which fee would entitle the out-patient to receive minor treatment and dressings. The matter of hours for treatment of out-patients and the best method of collecting the fees was left in the hands of the medical superintendent and secretary.