MISUNDERSTOOD

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 144, 19 June 1924, Page 4

MISUNDERSTOOD

SPECIAL WARDS FOR PATIENTS NO DISCRIMINATION. (BI TELEGRAPH.—SPKCIAI TO THB POST.) AUCKLAND, This Day. A letter from the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, protesting against the establishment of special wards for wealthy patients, was discussed by the Auckland Hospital Board yesterday evening. The chairman (Mr. W. Wallace) said he did not know where the society had derived its idea. The suggestion was not to establish any different treatment for-wealthy people. When Dr. Mayo was in Auckland he had spoken of a system at Toronto where special accommodation was provided, and the patient paid accordingly. "■ It means that aman who was able to pay made his own 'arrangements with the doctor. Tho private hospitals' could not hope to obtain the equipment tho public hospital had. Dr. Mayo had pointed out that the system had helped to reduce the burden, of upkeep on public hospitals. Mr. M. J. Coyle said he saw no reason why people who. could pay should not go into hospital and pay their own doctor. Tho whole supervision would be under the superintendent. Mr. \\. K. Howitt expressed astonishment that the society had forwarded such a letter The board had had a good deal to do with labour people, and they had always given the hospital credit for trying to do the best for the "under dog." It was agreed that a letter be sent to the amalgamated society stating that ifwas not the intention of the board to, erect special wards for wealthy people