HOSPITAL FEES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9049, 26 March 1908, Page 5

HOSPITAL FEES.

DISCUSSION AT THE DISTRICT BOARD.

TRUSTEE BODIES URGED TO COLLECT MORE.

The small amount collected in fees by thje Masterton and the Pahiatua Hospital Trustees (a subject given prominence at a recent meeting of the Masterton Trustees), was brought under the notice of the District Hospital Board yesterday by Mr Wm. Perry, some interesting comparisons being made by him of the amounts collected by the Trustee* of other hospitals of a similar size. Mr Perry said that the Masterton Hospital, in particular, showed in an unfavourable light when the fees collected from its patients were com?, pared with those of Ashburton, Otaki, Oamaru and Naseby. The fees collected at Masterton for the year ending March 31st last year, with 185 patients, totalled £174; Ashburton, With 195 patients collected £327; Otaki, with 125 patients, £360; Oamaru, with 219 patients, £477; and Naseby, with 134 patients, £417. He said it was time soma action was taken in the matter by the Board, and he moved that the Board protest against the small amount collected in fees by j the Trustees of the Masterton and South Wairarapa Hospitals, and intimate that unless more attention is given to the matter the estimates for these institutions will be cut down. Mr Cornelius seconded the motion. Mr Maxton, a member of South Wairarapa Hospital Trustees, said that though some laxity had been shown in the past, the Trustees had lately determined to actively move'.in the direction of collecting the fees, and a paid collector was now employed, who was instructed to proceed for the fees, except when hardship would be involved. Messrs W. Fisher and M. J. Jackson (Masterton Trustees) also mentioned that the Masterton Trustees were intending to take more vLorous action over the matter of overdue fees. Some further discussion ensued in favour of the motion, which was eventually carried unanimously.