HOSPITAL FEES.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 May 1920, Page 4

HOSPITAL FEES.

In the general rise of prices it was not to be expected that hospital requirements would he an exception, so that it is not surprising that the chairman of the Taranaki Hospital Board brought this matter under review at the meeting on Wednesday last. "The expenses are increasing," said Mr. Eraser, "and, in spite of all the Board's efforts, it seems impossible to them down." 'The consequence of this extra, expense is exemplified in the cost of each patient having risen from 5s lid to 9s sd, necessitating an additional shilling in the £IOO being added to the levy. As a matter of course wages have advanced, while some lines of medical supplies have gone up over 300 per cent. When all the other increases are taken into account it is obvious the Board is up against a serious problem. The ratepayers may rest assured thit the Board is doing all in its power to keep down expenditure to the lowest limit consistent with the absolute need for efficiency. The upkeep of a large public hospital differs materially from the carrying-on of an ordinary business concern. It is a national affair that demands special expenditure. Had the administration of our hospitals been intended to be self-supporting there would have been no authority granted to levy rates, and the suffering poor would have been deprived of one of the greatest boons the State has granted. Our hospitals are open to all who need treatment, but for those who are ih a position to pay a reasonable charge is made. Wifh. regard to the contention of Mr. G. Young that the fees should be increased, it is as well tc bear in mind that, owing to the high cost of living, those who formerly were able to pay the present fees would probably find lit impossible to do so now, and much less could they pay an increased amount, the result, being that the arrears due to the Board would show a considerable increase. The Board has power to deal with all patients' accounts on their merits, and while it is only right that those in a position to pay for treatment at private hospitals should be charged ascordingly, those with restricted means should not be made to feel that hospital treatment is a charity and not a right for wliieh they have been contributing as ratepayers. Manifestly it is the ratepayers who must be largely responsible for the maintenance of our hospitals and charitable aid, and in these times of high prices they would expect 'to

have the levy increased. The chairman rightly reminded the members of the Board that the medical staff had for a number of years given their se.--"vicee without fee, and in the face of such a fine example of sacrifice in the cause of humanity the ratepayers can hardly object to bear their share of the burden.