HOSPITAL COMMISSION.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1921, Page 5

HOSPITAL COMMISSION.

VIEWS OF TARANAKI BOARD. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, April 14. The Commission of Inquiry regarding hospital subsidies and administration was resumed to-day. Mr. George Shirtcliffe pointed out that only 22 per cent, of the total hospital fees were actually collected. Mr. Killick, seejjetary of the Hospital Department, thought the system of collecting fees was pursued on too rigid lines. The printed form should be followed by a personal letter or application for payment. In the case of the Otaki Hospital, which was under the control of the department, no less than '6O per cent, of the fees charged were collected. He was of opinion that each patient should be interviewed on discharge with respect to the payment of his account.

Mr. Murdoch Fraser, chairman of the Taranaki Hospital Board, submitted the decisions arrived at by his board. Shortly the board expressed the opinion that nothing less than the amount of the present subsidy should be given. By this means non-ratepayers contributed a portion of the cost. A scheme might be evolved whereby the Government could advance the funds required for capital expenditure. The board favored, as more equitable than the present basis of subsidy, that approved by the conference in June last. Not less than 24s in the £ subsidy should be given. It was inadvisable to alter the present system by which each individual board was free to fix patients’ fees on the basis of the cost of maintenance. The establishment of paying private wards in connection with public hospitals was entirely against the fundamental principles of the institution of such hospitals. The Government was justly entitled to representation on the boards. The board did not favor small hospital districts. A considerable saving could be made if standardised lines in hospital requisites could be bought in large quantities direct from the manufacturers and distributed to each hospital.