FRIENDLY SOCIETY PATIENTS

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3884, 15 December 1928, Page 4

FRIENDLY SOCIETY PATIENTS

AND HOSPITAL BOARD FEES. A deputation from the Palmerston North Friendly Societies Hospital Association consisting of Messrs F. Jackson and G. Northey, waited upon the executive of the Palmerston North Hospital Board on Thursday Avith the request that members of the Association be granted a reduction in fees to 4/6 per day. They are already paying half-rates namely, 6/- per day. 'The matter Avas reported to the full Board meeting for consideration.

Mr. J. K. Hornblow said he objected on principle to any concession to any body of people. The doors of the hospital were wide cpen and each case should be treat - ed on its merits. If the Friendly Societies Avere given this privilege then it would be open to the Farmers’ Union to make the same application and it had to be remembered that the farmers of the district contributed largely to the funds of the hospital. There Avere also industrial and church associations that could make a similar application. Other Boards had made concessions but those boards Avere richly endowed Avhereas the Palmerston North Hospital Board had no endoAvments at all. The hospital was open to all and everyone should be able to go there |and pay or not pay according to their ability. Mr. F. Pyeroft thought the Board should decide first of all whether a reduction should be granted or »ot. Mr. Ryder pointed out that Friendly Societies were paying their Avay and the idea of reducing the fee beloAV 6/- should not be considered.

Mr. V. E. Smith spoke against reduction. The ordinary charges had been raised and it would take a lot of explaining to the ratepayers if they made a reduction to the Friendly Societies. The reduction was not agreed to. Mr. Pyeroft then advocated a continuation of the half-fee scale for Friendly Society members .and moved to that effect.

Mr. M. A. Moody seconded. Mr. Hornblow said he had every sympathy with Friendly Societies but he thought the Board, in sanctioning the concession in the past, had not given the matter that consideration which would have been given in a private business. Before granting a continuation of the concession the [Friendly Societies’ Association should be asked to submit a copy of their balance sheet. That had not been done and he did not know why. Suppose there was a default on the part of the Friendly Societies, then the Board could not claim against them. However, he would be prepared to give a concession of one-third which would bring the Friendly 'Societies’ fee down to 8/-. Mr. Ryder seconded the amendment. Mr. H. W. Smart agreed with Mr. Hornblow’s suggestion. He pointed out tkatthe Board was able to collect oved 50 per cent, of patients’ fees as it was, and a hospital association should be in a position to make the Hospital Board a better proposition than' it had done. Tho secretary mentioned that a lot of country Hospital Boards would not make arrangements with Friendly Societies because their collection of fees was very good. The amendment was earned. Mi*. Hornblow suggested that an exception, however, should be made in the case of infectious diseases where often a whole family was isolated. Such cases should be charged half fees and the Board agreed to the suggestion.