HOSPITAL FEES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9034, 27 February 1908, Page 5

HOSPITAL FEES.

A POOR MONTH'S RETURN. LOCAL TRUSTEES DISSATISFIED. The Maaterton Hospital Trustees hsd a few words to say, yesterday, upon the question of the small amount being paid in fees Ly patient's of the institution. Mr W. Fisher introduced the topic by asking if it were possible for a list to be presented to the Trustees each meeting showing how the financial position stood in respect of outstanding fees. "Fancy £3 10s for a month's payments!" he said, "why, it's nothing at all!" The £3 10s referred to the amount set down in the Treasurer's monthly balance-sheet. The secretary said that the most unsatisfactory side of the matter as far as the Trustees were concerned was that a great number of the patients were "here-to-day-and-gone-to-rrorrow" inmates, and unable to pay for the treatment they received. Mr R. Brown said it was a matter in which the Charitable Aid Board might do something. Many poor patients might have their fees paid for them by the Benevolent Society. Mr F. W. H. Kummer said that Would be merely taking the money out of one public pocket and putting it into another. Mr M. J. Jackson said that was not the point to be considered. The Trustees had to" show their business transactions at the end of their year, and it looked bad to see such a large amount uncollected where perhaps it might be arranged to the Hospital's credit in some way. The taxpayers of this district, furthermore, contributed to the Charitable Aid Board, and were entitled to something for their money. The secretary, in reply to queries, said there was a very large amount ■outstanding to uncollected fees, and it was certainly desirable that something should be done to reduce it. Eventually it was decided that the secretary prepare a detailed statement of the fees owing, and the Trustees would then decide upon what line of action they would adopt.