PATIENTS FROM THAMES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 119, 22 May 1928, Page 19

PATIENTS FROM THAMES.

WAIHI CHARGES TOO HIGH ?

WAIHI, Monday.

A delegation consisting of Messrs. W. E. Hales, chairman, P. E. Brennan, C. Kennedy and G. Tonge, secretary of the Thames Hospital Board, to - day sought a reduction in the fees charged by the Waihi Hospital for treatment of urgent Thames cases. Such cases at present are charged 12/ per day, which Thames people consider excessive.

The board was asked to consider accepting a lump sum per year for the treatment of these cases or, alternatively, that 9/ per day be charged.

Mr. Hales pointed out that these fees were guaranteed by Thames, therefore there should be a reduction. He also pointed out that Waihi granted concession to Waikino Lodge patients in the Thames district because the fees were guaranteed, and said the same thing should apply to other patients from Thames. He also complained that recently urgent cases were admitted that were not considered urgent by the Thames medical superintendent. Failing a settlement, the Thames people would insist that they be consulted before urgent cases were admitted. Mr. J. E. Slevin, chairman of the Waihi Board, said that previously Waihi had accepted a lump sum and it had lost £1800. After a round-table discussion it was decided that the matter be left to the Waihi Board to consider and report to Thames.