HOSPITAL TREATMENT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 77, 2 April 1910, Page 9

HOSPITAL TREATMENT.

AN UNSETTLED POINT. [■T TELEGRAPH — SPECIAL TO THE POST.] CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. At their first meeting yesterday the members of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board found themselves face to face with a very diificult problem. A letter was received from the hon. medical staff of the Chri&tchuxch Hospital, drawing attention to a matter that had been laid before th« late board for a ruling, but had apparently not been decided by it, namely, the question as to who was entitled, to hospital treatment. It had been held by some that all, irrespective of their means, were entitled to hospital treatment, and recently there had been several instances of well-to-do persons anxious to obtain hospital treatment, believing it was their right. The hon. staff held that only those who were unable to pay fo,r private nursing and medical attendance should receive hospital treatment, and it was on that understanding that they gave their services gratuitously. As the matter was one of great importance, the staff asked that the board should give it its consideration immediately. It was decided to defer consideration of the question until the following meeting of the board, and to invite the staff to discuss the matter with the board on .tat occasion.