HOSPITAL CHARGES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2102, 13 March 1920, Page 3

HOSPITAL CHARGES.

PROPOSAL FOR INCREASE DEFERRED.

In accordance with'notiee given, Mr S. A. Broadbelt moved at Thursday’s meeting of the District Hospital Board, that the fees of patients he increased from 3s Od to (Ss per day. Mr Brdadbelt, in speaking to his motion, said that the time was now opportune for steps in this direction to he made. Palmerston was the lowest rated hospital in New Zealand —charges in similar institutions being much higher." They knew that the cost of everything was going up, and they could not expect to carry on without an increase being made. In many cases they would not benefit in the least, and they would always have the option of “writing off,” provided the Board was satisfied with the circumstances. At present it was costing 7s (id per day to look after each patient in the institution. Air -1. A. Nash: Was there not some,resolution passed by the Board that at the coming conference the question of uniformity of rates slid--uld lie discussed? Tlip secretary: Yes.

Mr Nash: “I think we should hold this question over, until after (he conference.” He said the question of a uniform charge throughout New Zealand would be considered, and the position of this Board could then be placed before the conference. What was the use of the proposed resolution when they were --(aiding their delegates to the conference to discuss the subject of

uniformity? Dr. Whitaker said the Board would have to make up its estimates very shortly, and he thought they might make si.me new arrangement, if only a temporary one. Although it was his intention to move an amendment to the motion, he would say that it there was a time when alterations should be made in the matter of (diarges, it should not he when everything was very hard and difficult fur the people. As soon as tilings settled down it would then he a good opportunity tu reconsider it. He drew attention also lo the fact that there was a good deal of money outstanding, and an endeavour should lie made to collect what was owink by those people who could afford to pay. Dr. WhilakerV proposal was: infants up lo one year, Is (id. per. day; children up to 12 years, 3s per Vlay; .ami.adults. 4s per day. It was. he said, a fair and collect' able charge, and a proposal which was workable. Mr itornhlow could not see any reason for making separate charges like thiit. It would he better <to make one definite charge. These instil ut ions, he said, were for the indigent people who could not afiord lo have the medical men in their homes or go to private hospitals. “J hope the time will come when the hospitals of this land will he absolutely free;” Mr Bramwell said lie favoured an increase to (is.

Mr Nash spid he strongly favoured uniformity, and reminded the Hoard that it had asked for a .uniform wage for nurses throughout' New Zealand, so as to prevent one institution from competing against uiml her. He advised the Board lo go on frainhig its estimates for next year, and wait until the delegates came hack' from (he conlcrenco.

Eventually the Board adopted Mr Nash’s proposal to hold the matter over until a fter I lie conference concluded, and /the results of the deliberations known.