OUR WAIKATO HOSPITAL

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3076, 2 April 1892, Page 2

OUR WAIKATO HOSPITAL

TO THE EDITOR. Sin, —Allow me through the medium of your valuable columns to draw the attention of the Hospital aud Charitable Aid Boar ! and the public generally to the fact (as I am told it) that while a patient at the Thames Hospital pays 15s a week for what he receives, and thinks that when he has paid this amount he has paid for services in full, tho Hospital at Hamilton charges at the rate of 4s a day, and considers that charity pays the other half of the expenses incurred. Now I write to ask why should this difference in the amounts exist. Let us remember that wlien a man knocks off work and goes tD the Hospital, he loses at once the amount he used to earn, and in addition has to meet tho expenses of the institution of which he. is an inmate; and not only this, but times .vith hi in have been very bad — often obtaining pay only for two days in a whole week. Who is to blame for all this ? Surely not the men, who would gladly work tho whole six days, if allowed to do so. The aid of the Government h:»s been obtained in the formation of a Hospitil, and why should it not compel every owner of a coal pit to employ his workmen regularly eight hours for six days in succession. I know that instead of thanks for my advice I shall only be rewarded by abuse; yet this does not alter facts, and facts are stubborn thing?. If wo use words, let them be words of wisdom. If the Charitable Aid Board is formed with a charitable object, let it carry out what it wants ; let them "provide for the poor and the needy '' in the best possible manner; not only by obtaining the services of a resident surgeon, but also a good matron. This is very essential. But this is enough now ; more some other day.—Yours truly, Dr, Broome, Surgeon.