HOSPITAL FINANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 102, 2 May 1931, Page 8

HOSPITAL FINANCE.

ECONOMIES AND PATIENTS. (To the Editor.) I have read with interest Mr. WaJlacefl* comment on the hospital "cut" forced on tig board 'by tie Government, and I am sure all will agree that the position is 6erious; that being so, the public should 'be given a full statement of the exact position. There is a very grave danger that those in a position to pay will be admitted in preference to those who are not in a position to do so. I sincerely hope that such will not be the case, but officials are only human, and if they are given definite instructions that expenses must be curtailed then they are placed in & very awkward position; this also applies to the discharge of patients. Will they ;be sent out before they are ready? It is a point on which the public should be given some assurance, for the public has a right to know thai, the sick will not be penalised. With regard to the abolition of the verandah beds, if these patients are to be removed from the verandahs what is going to happen to thean? In some cases, no doubt, it is essential they should be on the verandah, as it 'is better for their health in every way. Are they to be turned out or others in the wards to be discharged to make room for these particular, patients! I think it is certain that the doctors would not have put them there unless it was necessary. Then there is the curtailment of admissions to the infirmary and T.B. patients. Are they to be left to do the best they can J. The pruning knife has already started to. work; the point is how much is it going to' be used against those least able to stand against it? The board is right up against the "cut," and it is up to the public to stand by the board in its desire to do what is right for the sick, the infirmary and T.B. patients. The board is to fee congratulated on the fact that it has faced the position without reducing the salaries of the nurses and lower-paid officials, From information I have learned I am certain that the position is so serious that it. demands a public meeting of the citizens of Auckland and the district covered by the Hospital Board, and I have no doubt the board would, welcome' a. meeting, so that the facte can bo placed before the public. Admittedly in times of stress economies must be brought about, but not at the expense of the sick and the, old people at' the infirmary.- BRUCE.