The Daily News. SATURDAY, JULY 29, 1922. HOSPITAL CHARGES.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 July 1922, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, JULY 29, 1922. HOSPITAL CHARGES.

It may be thought by some that the subject of hospital charges and accommodation is not one [that would be expected to find a place on the agenda of. the DoI minion Conference of the New* Zealand Farmers’ Union. Both as ratepayers and as residents the farmers of the Dominion are directly interested in hospital matters, and they contribute on a fairly large scale to the upkeep of these institutions. The remit that was carried by the conference on Wednesday emphasises forcibly the right of farmers and their families to treatment in the public hospitals on payment of charges that would reasonably cover the cost of nursing and medical attention and accommodation,. There is no feature in this claim, inasmuch as the classification of patients able and ’.rilling t.o pay has been fairly fully discussed, but the special point raised in the remit had reference [ to regulations which will have the I effect of “shutting out all patients I other than the altogether indi- | gent,” thus forcing those who are able and willing to pay for hospital treatment to become patients at private hospitals, where 'the , charges are high, and necessarily ! the equipment falls short of that I

at the public hospitals. Practically the contention of the farmers raises a question that strikes at the root of the Dominion’s hospital system. Manifestly public hospitals, supported by rates and Government contributions, are primarily intended for those who cannot afford to pay for treat- : ment. They are the outcome of national humanitarian sentiment, and, as such, reflect, much credit on the country. The fact that a scale of fees, which in the past has varied considerably in different hospital districts, operates, at least nominally, relieves these institutions from the arena of charity. At the same time the hospitals are open for the admission of all. the need for treatment being the sole factor regulating admission, providing there are vacant beds. If the patients have not the me/uis to pay then the cost is borne by the community, but those who can pay all or a portion of the fees are rightly called upon to discharge their obligation in this respect. What the farmers fear is being cut off from treatment at the public hospitals, and they are quite right to endeavor to prevent that happening. Without doubt hospital boards have found their expenses rising higher and higher, hut that should in no way interfere with their attitude towards the farming community or such of the general public as can and will pay charges that will show a profit instead of a loss. An essential feature of recent proposals for placing the finances of the boards on a more sound footing’ was that provisions should be made for I patients whose fees would not ' only cover the full cost of treatI ment, but also he a help towards the treatment , of the indigent. While there are some who would shrink from becoming patients at a hospital supported by public money, and would prefer to be treated at a private hospital, there are a large majority who regard the public hospitals as places where the highest skill is available, and. therefore, infinitely prefer these institutions. So long as there is room for patients in the public hospitals, paying patients should be welcomed. Private hospitals can charge what they please, and so can the medical attendants thereat. This question not. only affects the farmers, but the greater part of the community, who, as ratepayers,, have the right to be considered. It is quite possible to devise a scheme whereby all classes of the community can receive due consideration as regards treatment at our public hospitals. At the present time especially, and also in normal periods, there are a considerable number of people who would find it impossible to pay the fees charged at private hospitals, and it may be fairly claimed that j these have as much right to be ( considered as the indigent. If the j basic principle on which the hospital system is to be upheld, then the relief of human suffering and I the cure of patients must be re-

cognised in all regulations, so that, notwithstanding any possible abuses, the main end may be achieved, and all needing treatment may be able to obtain it at the fully equipped and efficient public hospitals.