PRIVATE WARDS IX PUBLIC HOSPITALS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2740, 31 May 1924, Page 2

PRIVATE WARDS IX PUBLIC HOSPITALS.

SHOULD patients in a position lo pay for pri\ale treatment be admitted to public hospitals at ordinary ft'i'S .’ This question is being discussed by Hospital Hoards throughout Die Dominion. We believe Die original nbjeel of public liospilals wits 1,, I real Die [loor and indigent but no definite rule is laid down on this point. Naturally the honorary medical staff object lo (real well-to-do patients in public institutions. Ibe subjeel of private wards in public hospitals where people who can af-ford-Die extra, expense could be accommodated separately, was a mallei on which Die liospilals commission of .1921 favourably reported, lail nothing has been done lo give effect lo tliis recommendation. At a recent meeting of Die Auckland Hospital Board the medical superintendent again advocated libs provision. He recalled I but in former reports lie bail mcnlioipcd the desirability of Inn ing nccomiiiodnlion for patients who could afford lo pay more Ilian the ordinary double rales. Under the present system a large proportion of the taxpayers, who bear Die burden of expenditure on public liospilals are barred Ibe privileges Dial Irealmeul in a welleipiipped public .hospital entails. The only way to obviate this is to have buildings for palienls who could afford lo pay for Ibe privacy of a separate room, and be attended bv 1 heir own medical men. Others hold Die opinion Dial there should be no class distinction in bur public hospitals which should be open to all who desire treatment. If, however, there is lo be no discrimination on the part of Boards, the cost of maintenance would be increased tenfold. Separate wards for private treatment seems the only equitable way to meet Die situation.