HOSPITAL CHARGES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2002, 12 July 1919, Page 2

HOSPITAL CHARGES.

PROPOSED INCREASE DEFEATED.

Consideration was given by the y Hospital Board on Thursday to thy motion by Mr Smart (PohanginaL notice of which had previously been given, that the charge per diem per £ patient at the hospital be increased from 4s to 6s. Speaking to his motion, Mr Smart commented that it was not necessary to say very much. Members of the Board were fully conversant with the position. Ever since the commencement of the war in 1914 the cost of the maintenance had risen steadily from 5s per head to 8s Igd. The total cost of running the hospital had risen from £6,497 to £13,398. The amount received from the patients last year was £4.031. The actual loss per patient per day was 4s 4d. If they raised it to the figure he suggested they would still be running at a loss of lOd. They were now going in for a much bigger institution, affording a much better service. The position was not going to be made for those not in a position to pay. Last year, for instance, £3,683 had been written oft the books.

In seconding the motion, Mr F, Penn stated that the sura named by Mr Smart was that suggested by the Government. In Wanganui the charge had been increased to 355.

Sir Janies Wilson pointed out that Wanganui was one of the luckiest hoards, being richly endowed. i ■Mr Penn pointed out that at New; Plymouth -J-2s per week was charge ed. Nelson had increased their' charge to £2 2s per week, and the»^ ! Wellington Board charged a similar J amount. Some of the hoards he ! mentioned made an allowance of 25 • per cent, for friendly society mem-, hers. The time had arrived when? (he hospitals should be open lo per- v sons well able to pay a reasunahlo r sum and willing to do so. The V hospital should not he looked upon v -imply as a charitable institution. The poor people who paid nothing |- wduld ho no worse off. /

Dr. Whitaker considered that the motion should have he'en brought up * in March, when the estimates were u prepared. There was a good deal in * flic saying, “The more you pay, the less you got,” hut nevertheless Mr Penn’s figures called for reflection. Was it possible to carry the least fortunate part of (lie public till the next financial year without increasing the charges'? He considered it was. The hoax’d had got £4,000 in ices last year, whereas it had estimated only £I,OOO. The people wei'o in the hospital because they were sick, and because they were poor. Mr Hornhlow agreed with Dr. : Whitaker, and lie moved an amendment, that the matter be postponed (ill after the forthcoming confercnee of hospital boards. iu Mr Nash seconded the amend- * ment. \

Mrs Gill opposed the motion, \ pointing to the high cost of living. It was xr public hospital, and was for the poor people.

Sir James Wilson remarked that the present estimates would sec I them through, axxd that in framing the estimates for next year provisi- * on could be made for a charge of 5s . for resident patients and 6s for ? others. He recommended Mr Smart L to hold his motion over. f Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., agreed with / Sir James’ suggestion, and oppos- C ed the motion. Mr Bramwell supported the motion, urging that the poor people would not be affected by the in-*, crease. After further discussion the mat- 1 ter was put to the, vote, the motion v being last on the casting vote of the chairman, and the axnendxuent adopted on a similar division. Sir James voting for jjxe amendment ‘ and also exercising his casting vote. 1