SOLDIERS IN HOSPITAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 January 1916, Page 6

SOLDIERS IN HOSPITAL.

"A UNIFORM CHARGE FIXED. TARAXAKI BOARD'S DECISION. ARRANGEMENTS TO SEE PATIENTS Matters concerning tlie care of returned soldiers in hospital are referred to in two letters from tlie Department which have 'been received by the Taranaki Hospital Board. Dr. T. 11. A. Valiutine (Inspector-Gcn-o'ral) wirtes:—"ln connection with the treatment of sick and wounded soldiers, I find that there is no uniform charge made by all hospitals. In some cases 6s a day is charged, and in others ss, while one Board admits soldiers for £1 a week, I shall be glad to know if your Board would agree to a uniform charge being made to the Government of 5s per diem for all soldiers when In hospital. I might point out that this will produce a greater.revenue than if this was the charge made to a civilian, as your Board is quite aware, that but a small proportion of civilian fees are paid, whereas in this case the full fee will be paid by the Government. This also is a matter in which the patriotism of hospital boards Can be shown even if the amount is a slight reduction on the ordinary charge to individual civilians.'' The Board has replied agreeing to the uniform charge of 5s a day for all soldiers in hospital. The following letter has been received from the Minister for Hospitals, the Hon. G. W. Russell: —"I have no doubt members of your Board,appreciate the difficulty with which the Department has to contend in connection w:th the efficient treatment of. sick and wounded from tlie seat of war, and the urgent necessity for affording such the best facilities possible as regards medical treatment. In previous memoranda reference has been made to the treatment of soldiers as in-patients in the institutions under your control, and I must again thank those who have placed at the disposal of the Department special wards, or otherwise have provided accommodation for in-patients. A large nunrber of sick and wounded, however, will require treatment as out-patients. I would be grateful, therefore, if your Board would make arrangements for the treatment of sick and wounded as outpatients, and realising that in many hospitals such treatment will require special arrangements, I would be pleased if your Board could kindly inform me—(1) Whether it will be necessary to make special arrangements for.the'outpatient treatment of sick and wounded soldiers; (2) the hours most suitable to the medical staff for giving such treatment; (3) the cost of attendance per patient, including medicine. For the information of your Board, I may say it is estimated that tho cost 'of outpatients,'including medicine, is generally reckoned in the Dominion hospitals at 2s 6d for the first attendance and Is for each subsequent attendance. In those hospitals where the out-patient departments are conducted by the honorary staff, I would he glad to know if the members of the honorary medical staff would require payment, and, if so.' the fee per patient at" which they will be prepared to undertake such 'work. In the onerous responsibilities placed upon the Government by the war, and their earnest desire to 'help the brave men who have sacrificed go much for tho Empire, I feel sure I can fully rely upon the cordial and patriotic .co-operation of both the boards and the medical staffs, honorary as well as stipendiary." This leter was referred to Dr. Walker, medical superintendent of the hospital! who has replied to the chairman of the (Board stating that he does not consider it necessary at present to make special arrangements for the outdoor treatment of returned soldiers. "I will he glad to undertake as part of mv hospital duty tlie treatment of these cases," adds Dr. Walker. "Ten a.m. on Mondays and Thursdays would be a suitable hour, but for the convenience of any of those who come in by train or coach I will make arrangements to attend to these if sufficient notice be given at the hospital immediately after the train's arrival."