THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 1919. HOSPITAL CHARGES.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 11 June 1919, Page 2

THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 1919. HOSPITAL CHARGES.

Two of the local bodies within the scope of the Palmerston Xortli Hospital District —the Manawatu anil Kairanga County Councils—have recently passed resolutions urging their representatives to endeavour to have the hospital charges increased. At present the Palmerston Xortli Hospital fees tire at the rate of L’-ls per week —;i ridiculously low figure---tincl it is not surprising to find that local bodies, which have to provide the money for hospital k maintenance, agitating for an increase ' in these fees. In our own hospital distriet (Palmerston Xortli District), too, an anomaly exists. The Oiaki Hospital is for the time being under the control of the Public Works Department, and the fee for patients at tite local institution is two guineas per week, whereas those attending the Palmerston Xortli Hospital in the same hospital distriet are only charged 21s per week. This matter of hospital fees has engaged the attention of the Department of Public Health, which has circularised the various hospital boards throughout the Dominion on the matter. The Department recoin mended the adopt ion of a uniform charge for patients’ fees throughout Xew Zealand, and suggested that £2 2> per week was a reasonable charge to make. Many of the hospital boards have adopted the suggestion of the Government, and fixed their charges accord]ugly, but some a(e still charging less, and others more than the two guineas:- The Palmerston Xorth Board delmted this matter some months ago. when it was adjourned for further discussion. and in all probability the matter will come before the Board at next month-V meeting. The main argument , j ir. favour of retaining the very low fees now charged is that the working classes and poor people should be considered, and not charged excessive '' rates. However, we contend that this argument does rot hold good. Those unable to pay the" hospital fees are always considered, and charged, a lesser rate than the full fees. or. if their cir- • cere stances will not permit of any payment, they are treated free of cost. Thus, these .people'•.would not be afflicted by the inc-rease of fees. whereas those who can ,’pav the higher rate should certainly do so. With the enormous increase in the cost of everything during the past few years, the treatment of hospital patients has-'be-come a very much heavier burden than in the past, which can he gauged by the -increasing levies on the local bodies, and it is only reasonable that a fair charge should be made. Twenty-four shillings per week does not seem to as a reasonable charge. Public opinion regarding hospital treatment is undergoing a complete change. In the past public hospitals were commonly looked upon largely as charitable institutions, for rhe use of indigent people and the pcorer classes only; bur this feeling has gradually altered. TYifti the spread ox humanitarian ideas, wc have tome to look to the State to set up and equip the most modern and up-to-date institu- ’ tions far the treatment of the ills-to which juankina i* heir to, without considering so much the-’ability of the «ek 1 person to pay for treatment.. A* a mutter of coarse, the wealthy mas pre- •* fens .to. be treated, for illness is,his own ioiaej where he can have-private incuses I

and homo comforts, or in'private hospi tals, but .the time is not far distant, we firmly believe, when every person,-ric-h or poor, will have a perfect right to avail himself or herself of the public hospitals, with the exception that those who.can afford,it will be expected to pay for treatment, while those not so well off will be treated more leniently. There are thousands of wage earners in receipt of moderate incomes of between

two and three hundred pounds per annum who cannot afford to pay the veryhigh medical and nursing fees charged for private treatment, and these people, we submit, are perfectly justified in expecting to be admitted to the public hospitals. Such people would gladly pay a reasonable charge, and two guineas per week is a most reasonable charge at the present time. The increased charges should somewhat lighten the burden on the local bodies, too. The. whole question of hospital treatment, is one that will have to be dealt with from a national standpoint in the near future, wo believe, but in the meantime it certainly seems reasonable that a uniform charge for hospital treatment should be made throughout the Dominion, and the Government’s recommendation of £2 Us per week, cannot be considered by any means exorbitant. >