HOSPITAL UPKEEP

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 65, 11 December 1943, Page 8

HOSPITAL UPKEEP

Reply To Makara County Council Government policy with regard to hospital upkeep was explained to the Makara County Council by the Minister of Finance. Mr. Nash, at the monthly meeting of the council yesterday. “I have to acknowledge your letter addressed to the Prime Minister, who is at present indisposed,” wrote the Minister. “The purport of those statements,, as set out in your letter, indicates some confusion of 'thought or misunderstanding of the position, because it is clear that from the inception of the Social Security scheme the cost of hospital upkeep to the extent of an amount of 6/- a patient a day has been a charge on the Social Security Fund, and 1 am sure that the prime Minister's knowledge of the subject is such that he would not make a statement in the terms attributed to him in your letter. It is true that increased coss due to war conditions have increased the cost of hospital upkeep, andi n recognition of this fact the Government recently authorized an increase of 3/- a patient' a day so that the contribution from the Social Security Fund is now 9/a day. This is, of course, in addition to the contribution of approximately 50 per cent which the Government makes by way of subsidy toward all hospital expenditure. both in regard to upkeep and capital expenditure.” “The usual evasion.” remarked CT. E. Windley. when the Minister’s letter had been read.

On the motion of the chairman, Mr. R. AV. Bottomley, the letter was received.