HOSPITAL FINANCE.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18682, 4 May 1926, Page 11

HOSPITAL FINANCE.

TO THE EDITOR OT "THE FRESS." Sir,—May I be permitted to point out the great unfairness of the whole hospital system, as adopted at present, and especially in regard to finance Originally the hospital was connected with &■ charitable institution (that took the place of the workhouse in the Old Country), but difficulties in obtaining private contributions led to a rate being struck, and tbeu to a Government subsidy. This was bo that tho poor and needy could obtain food and medical assitance. This medical help was, in most cases, given free by large-hearted medical men, -who were often of very high attainments, and could, in private practice, command high fees as specialists. The poverty of the patients naturally necessitated that buildings and equipment should be provided from the funds. Thus tho hospital system was started, and the Government, through its subsidy, obtained control. With the growth of population, and increased land values, this charitable rate has now become a large sum—sufficient to provide hospitals, appliances, and instruments of an efficiency that cannot be afforded by jiny one medical man. At the present time the position appears to he that property owners aro providing, for curing illnesses, the most modem well-equipped buildings in which medical students and the higher qualified specialists do the work for small payments, if any. But these property owners are not allowed to use these hospitals, because then very few outside medical men would have a private practice. Surely the time has now como when people who pay should insist on having equal rights with those for whom they pay, or else that the money collected by rates, from individuals, be earmarked for their use in time of need, similar to that of any other form of insurance.—Yours, etc., A. A. BICKERTO^. Linwood, May Ist.