HOSPITAL TREATMENT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4828, 11 May 1925, Page 2

HOSPITAL TREATMENT.

CASE OF WEALTHY PATIENTS. SUGGESTED ALTERATIONS. AH local bodies are now being circularised by the Kiwitea County Council with reference to the administration of the public hospitals of the Domininon. Accompanying the circular is a copy of the Commissioner’s report on the recent inquiry into the circumstances relating to the treatment, uf a daughter of a ratepayer of tlie Kiv ilea Co.inty whilst a patient in the Palmerston North Hospital, and generally ius to the administration of that hospital. As a result of the Commissioner’s findings the Kiwitea County Council is more than ever satisei'id that the question of the administration of hospitals is one that should be gone into with as little delay as passible, with the object of obi Pining certain reforms. The public hospitals, said the circular, are maintained by the ratepayers, per medium of rates and general taxes, and should be open to everyone, whether rich- or poor, and no person should be refused admission unless the accommodation at the time is insufficient tc meet demands. It is only by co-operation on the part of local bodies, and county councils in particular, that certain matters can he remedied and the administration of hos pitals placed on a better footing. The Kiwitea Council is, therefore of the opinion that all hospital boards throughout tlie Dominion should adopt uniform by-laws and regulations to include, inter alia ’. (a) Tlie rights of all persons (irrespective of means) to be admitted a* patients to public hospitals. (b) In the event of accommodation at public hospitals being at any time insufficient to meet the demands for admission, that the question of discrimination insofar as the tsame relates to financial ability should be under the control of a civil officer'of tne board

(c) That tlie medical certificate required on admission should deal only with the question of the patient beiiu; a fit subject for hospital treatment, and in this connection medical practitioners should have no . right to inquire as to the financial status o. patients. To this end there should be a uniform certificate of admission approved by tlie Public Health Department and a supply of certificates in the hands of all practitioners.

(d) That the rights and powers of the honorary medical staff should be more strictly defined. The honorary medical staff on uo account to act contrary to the policy of the board, and in particular .such staff to have no right to refuse ttf give the usual and proper treatment to a patient regularly admitted. The Kiwitea Council further recommended increased, hospital charges in order that patients of sufficient financial ability should pay such fees as would enable the board to pay a reasonable fee to the members of the honorary staff attending to the particular case in accordance with an agreed scale for services rendered, with provision for partial or complete remission of fees in cases where financial circumstances justify such remission. The increased income of boards under such head to be utilised: (1 in reducing levies to local bodies ; (2) in providing additional accommodation, including private winds; (3) in providing, finally, a resident medical staff to undertake the duties at present undertaken by the honorary medical staff.

The Kiwitea Council requested the (sympathy and support of all local bodies in this matter, which is of great importance, and one that affects the whole of the Dominion, and if the local body is favourable to the suggestions outlined it was asked to notify the Minister for Public Health accordingly.

Ti.e Thames County Council considered the matter-worthy of serious consideration, and referred the circula’.’ to a later meeting.