ANZAC HOSPITAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 May 1942, Page 4

ANZAC HOSPITAL

COST OF TREATING SOLDIER PATIENTS GOVERNMENT AND OTHER PAYMENTS. EXPLANATION OF POSITION. The position in relation to the cost of treating soldier patients at the Anzac Hospital came Tip for consideration at today’s meeting of the Wairaiapa Hospital Board. Stating that there was some suggestion that the Government should be paying for the treatment of sick soldiers, Mr J. F, Thomson said he understood that if the Anzac Hospital was full, the Government payment for patients would be sufficient to meet the cost, without any burden falling on the ratepayers at all. The chairman, Mr H. H. Mawley: “That is the position.” He stated that if the patients averaged 40 over the year the estimated deficiency on Anzac Hospital would be only about £5OO and not £2500 as had been budgeted for. “That is a point that interests the ratepayers and local bodies,” said Mr Thompson. Mr Mawley: “If the average were 42 we would come out practically all square.” Mr Thompson: “And there would be no levy against local bodies at all as far as Anzac Hospital was concerned.” The Managing-Secretary, Mi* Norman Lee, said the board got Ils pel’ day for soldier patients. Any balance over and above that in the daily cost came from the Consolidated Fund and in levies from local bodies.

Mr Mawley explained that on the other hand, if the financial position turned out very badly, judging by a statement made by Dr. M. H. Watt, Medical Director of Health, the board would get some assistance from the War Expenses Account. That was the view expressed by the Mauriceville County Council, said Mr A. Forsberg, when considering hospital expenditure. The council contended that the Government should pay for any loss in the cost of treatment of sick soldiers.

Mrs J. Robertson: “Do the ratepayers grudge anything for sick soldiers? It looks as if they take it very hard.”