HOSPITAL TREATMENT

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5467, 28 August 1929, Page 2

HOSPITAL TREATMENT

QUESTION OF PRIVATE WARDS. EXPRESSION OF VIEWS. In reply to the letter from the Ngatea branch of the N.Z. Labour Party Mr A. W. Hall, M.P., has written expressing agreement with the sentiments the branch expressed and stating that when the opportunity offered he would centainly oppose the introduction of private wards in public hospitals. He pointed out that those people who were not satisfied with the public hospitals had the option of going to private hospitals if they so desired and could afford it. He could not see why ratepayers should be called upon to provide accommodation for special patients, as it would lead to class distinction. Concerning hospital insurance, Mr Hall considered that it was a difficult matter. It appeared to him that now all landowners were paying hospital insurance by way of "hospital rates, and that it would be difficult to collect from persons who did not own property. However, the matter was certainly worth looking into. On the same ssb.iert, Mr E. L. Waition, the district representative on the Thames Hospital Board, wrote stating that while the cost of the establishment and upkeep of hospitals was based and assessed on land ’ z aliie he was not prepared to accede to the request of the branch if the introduction of new methods would give relief to ratepayers who were bearing the principal burden at present. In his opinion the cost of hospitals should he borne per head of population instead of per acre of land. This alteration could and should be made without? casting any disability on those who from misfortune were unable to pay hospital fees.