NEW PLYMOUTH HOSPITAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 May 1916, Page 7

NEW PLYMOUTH HOSPITAL.

PATIENTS' TEES. NO INCREASE TO BE MADE. At the meeting of the Taranaki Hospital Board yesterc\u\ Mr. Mcßeyin accordance w.th notice, moved: That, owing to the increase in the cost of living, this Board will, on and after June 1, 1916, increase the charge for patients in the hospital from 63 to 7s Cd per day, and that of inmates in the UW People's Home hV, per week." It was agreed < i lie two clauses separately. In , c of the resolution to increase the cli.irgv for hospital patients, Mr. MacßeynUdp said that he felt that it was only right that the rates should advance pro rata with the increased cost of living He was not particular as to what the increase should be. • After eulogising the treatment at the New Plymouth Hospital, he said that the majority of the patients who were in a position to pay would not object to a reasonable extra charge. There were patients who cnil.l not afford to pay, and, of course, dici not pay. Mr. J. Brown seconded the motion. Mr. McDonald held thai an increase of 25 per cent was too umeli. It would mean that people who could pay would go to private hospital?, and only leave those who could not jay to be treated at the public hospital. '/ Mr. Brown favored an increase of Is per day, and Mr. Mcßeynolds agreed to amend his resolution accordingly. The chairman opposed the resolution because the charges wore at present greater than those of similar institutions throughout the Dominion. It would, moreover, mean a very slight increase in the fees received, and might possibly even have a contrary effect to what was expected. Hospital accommodation should be Available at a reasonable charge for the sick, and anything in the way of oppressive or prohibitive fees wag not in cois|iKance with the Act. He pointed out that those who were treated in the hospital, and were able to pay more than the usual charges, had other channels of showing their gratitude to the ratepayers. The institution was always willing to receive donations. They had fallen into line with the wishes of the Department when they fixed the fees at Bs, and he saw no valid reason to depart therefrom. He considered the charges reasonable and fair, and they received a splendid response in payment from patients. • He doubted if they would receive so much if they made the pixnosid increase. He also deprecated frightening people from going to the hospital. Mr. Tate considered that this was not an opportune time to raise the charges, It would pay patients to go to private hospitals. He considered that country people, who used the hospital and were now paying the heavy rate, would be penalised by paying twice over, Mr. Maxwell considered that the levying of the higher rate was anticipated for years, and was due to other causes than the increased eo?t of living. Although the Board had protested the Government had from year to year imposed extra duties on Hospital Boards. He saw no reason to make a stir at the increased levy. It was possible that in the appointment of a dispenser and house steward they could 'save a little. He pointed out that they received a subsidy from the Government or the rate levied, but did not on any increased charges. Because the rate was heavier they proposed to increase the charge. That would mean an additional charge on the tax payer, who was the only one that could be forced to pay. He feared that the increased fee would drive the paying patients away, and the only class tint would use t'hs hospital would be those who do not pay. Instead of relieving the position the increase would have the opposite tendency. Mr. J. Brown supported the resolution. He did not hold that the great body of patients were hom the country. The majority were from the town. In any case he could not see why the general body of ratepayers should have to be taxed for the comparatively few who • use the hospital. As representatives of local bodies they had a duty to perforin in seriously attempting to reduce the levy on the ratepayers as far as possible. After further discussion the resolution was lost. It was resolved to increase the charge for maintenance of inmates of the Old People's Home from 12s to 15s per week. It was remarked that, the actual cost to the Board was 18s Sd p< r week, and it had been recognised fo- years that the fee charged for the maintenance of inmates from Hospital Districts outside Taranaki was too low.