HOSPITAL FINANCE

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 22, 27 July 1928, Page 5

HOSPITAL FINANCE

CHARGES FOE TREATMENT

Mr F Bennett moved .it a meeting of the Wellington Hospital Board yesterday, "that a return be placed before _ the Finance, Property, and Policy Committee of tho board, stating in detail the various charges made for treatment m all the branches of the board's activities. • Mr E Windley said that hospital boards should avail themselves of every proper opportunity of affording relief to the ratepayers, and the carrying of the motion vrtMifc indicate one of the channels, it the present position were allowed to continue, iv his opinion it would give nsc_ to trouble. The existing burden was getting "a little over the odds." Although he represented a local body, he tried to look at both sides of the question. Members must realise that there was a limit to the taxation which could be imposed on pro-perty-owners. If a committee investigated matters and made a recommendation which would result in relieving the taxation, it would give much satisfaction. In any case, the board should take the matter up seriously. .. The chairman (Mr. C. M. Luke) said that two hospital boards had already increased their charges from 9s to 11s per day. The ■ question was now being considered by the Hospital Boards' Association. Members were all aware of the criticism in the Press and in other quarters; some of that criticism was unreasonable. The increased cost of modem hospital treatment must be borne iv mind. In his opinion there were a few patients, at any rate, who received hospital treatment who could afford to pay higher charges than they now paid. As had been tho case hitherto, the same treatment and privileges would be given to those who could not afford to pay. The carrying of the motion would mean giving members a good deal of information. The motion was agreed to.