HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3805, 14 June 1928, Page 3

HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION.

MANAWATU COUNTY SATISFIED.

HIGHER FEES NECESSARY.

When the letter from the Palmerston North [Borough Coulncil requesting support to a resolution seeking the appointment of a commission of enquiry into the administration of the Palmerston N. Hospital was read at Tuesday’s meeting of the Manawatu County Council, the chairman, Councillor W. E. Barber remarked, “The Minister of Health turned that down flatly.” Councillor 11. H. Hunt: I don’t agree with them;. We have every confidence in the members of the board who ai'e doing the right thing. It seems to me that these men are not there to agree to any extravagant expenditure, and I think we can leave it safely in their hands.

The 'Chairman: That’s my view. I think that the matter will be brought to a head when the counties conference sits. It will be thoroughly discussed and probably recommendations made. This, of course, refers to the question of subsidies, but the borough council’s letter finds fault with the management. Wo have no fault to find with the hospital board —they are all capable men. Councillor D. Wj. Reid: I have no fault to find with the hospital people but, of course, the expenditure is creeping up.

Councillor Hunt: An adjustment of subsidies would help. Councillor W. E. Pearce thought that the charges for medical treatment should bo increased. The rates charged were “equal to those of a second-hand eating house.”

Councillor Hunt’s experience on the hospital board was that the secretary of the board generally knew the circumstances of every patient admitted. The Chairman: The point Councillor Pearce raises is that some people are getting off too light. The difficulty is who is going to say what one patient can pay more than another.

Councillor Hunt: I think the Palmerston North Hospital collects more in fees than most other hospitals. The discussion lapsed when a motion was carried resolving not to take any action with regard to the letter from the Palmerston North Borough Council.