COMMUNITY HOSPITAL.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 308, 3 October 1929, Page 4

COMMUNITY HOSPITAL.

Labour opposition to the community hospital has been often proclaimed, and we are convinced that it is based on an erroneous conception of justice. The figures quoted by Mr. Savage relating to Auckland Hospital alone prove this—a daily average payment of 3s a day in a total cost of 15s. The cost would be more if it were not for honorary service. Even if the full charge made by the

hospital were paid there would still be a big deficit to be met from the public purse. This would mean that the ratepayers and taxpayers would still be subsidising the hospital treatment of a section of the public. If the poor and needy alone were treated the issue would be different, but our hospitals have long since passed this stage. It would be different again if the hospitals were open to all; but they are not. Apart from j

the insufficiency of accommodation in the centres, there is the very real barrier imposed by conditions. There are many people who would be glad to have the benefit of the modern facilities afforded by the great public hospitals, but they are deterred by the lack of privacy, the inability to retain the services of the practitioner they know, and in whom they have confidence, and the knowledge that

even if they pay the full fees they will be paying less than the cost, I and be accepting from some honorary attendant a free service for which they think he should be justly have payment. The injustice of the system which produces such conditions cannot be disposed of by shouting “ snobs ” and “ class distinctions.” It is alleged against the community hospital that it is undemocratic. How the present system can be deemed democratic we cannot see—unless it is democratic to deny to the rich and to those who are not rich but wish to pay for what they receive, that which is freely given to the poor. Democracy should mean justice for all—not for one class alone.—Wellington Evening Post.