HOSPITAL FEES.

Shannon News, 16 March 1928, Page 4

HOSPITAL FEES.

NO CONCESSION TO FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. A> conference of the executive of the Hospital Boards’ Association and representatives of Friendly Societies of New Zealand was held in Christchurch recently in an endeavour to formulate terms of an agreement that might be adopted in all districts, whereby Friendly Society patients might secure concessions. One of the recommendations was a reduction in fees, to half, but when the draft agreement came before the Palmerston North Hospital Board on Thursday, objection was taken to any reduction being made below the one-third allowed off at the present time. Mr. J. K. Hornblow moved that disapproval be minuted. He considered that concessions should not be made to any body. It was well known that all people who were in indigent circumstances could go to the hospital and no pressure would be put on them as regards their fees. By making the concessions suggested, the Board would be opening the way for other bodies to ask for the same thing. While he admired the spirit of thoso' who contributed to Friendly Societies to ensure against times of ill-health, there were numbers among |hem wlio were capable of paying the‘full hospital fee. Every case, he thought, should be treated oa its merits. Mr. G. A. Monk seconded the motion which was carried.