HOSPITAL TREATMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 July 1927, Page 2

HOSPITAL TREATMENT

HAS IT BEEN REFUSED? DEPUTATION’S ALLEGATIONS. Allegations that some members of the State Collieries Medical Association, who were outpatients of the Greymouth Hospital, were refused treatment because they could not pay 2/6 per visit, were made at last evening’s meeting of the Grey Hospital Board by a deputation from the Association. It was contended that members •who required only ordinary treatment should not have to pay the 2/6, as the Association’s agreement with the Board provided for the giving of such treatment free.

The deputation, which consisted of Messrs J. Devine, and H. Duggan, was introduced by Mr R. McTaggart. Mr Devine stated that the outpatients’ fee had been increased by the Board from 1/- to 2/-. and then to 2/6. The latter fee could not be paid by some of the members, and it was the object of the deputation to endeavour to reach an amicable agreement with the Board, so that every member of the Association would be able to receive treatment when necessary. Mr Duggan stated that the rate had gone up from 1/- to 2/6, and was regarded as too high. There was a charge of 2/6 every time members of the Association wished to interview the doctor at the hospital. One patient, who was suffering from strained muscles around the heart, alleged that the treatment he Was receiving was injurious to him. Some men had been refused treatment at the hospital, because they could not pay the 2/6 per visit. The Secretary (Mr A. A. Rouse) said that some of the men referred to had been advising everyone not to pay, and had been a nuisance.

Mr J. Brislane: Are you quite sure that men who came to the hospital were refused treatment because they could not pay the half-crown? Mr Duggan replied in the affirmative, and added that he understood Mr I. James, the mine manager, had guaranteed payment in one case. The Secretary replied that the mine manager had never made such a guarantee. He was supposed to have made some arrangements with the Matron, but the Board could not recognise that. The Chairman (Mr J. W. Hannan) said that such matters were not relevant. The question was, what did the Association’s agreement with the Board cover? The Board interpreted it to cover treatment similar to that given to ordinary patients, who paid £3 3s per week. If anything beyond that was required by the Association, such as massage or X-ray treatment, the Association should pay extra. Mr McTaggart: Don’t you think that the local doctor could treat some of the cases without sending them to the hospital? Mr Duggan said that if there were any such cases, the hospital doctor should report to that effect. Mr Devine pointed out that the Association did not ask for something without expecting to give anything in return, although the members were taxed to the utmost now. He thought the Board might make some concession.

The Chairman expressed surprise at the statement that any man had been refused treatment because he could not pay half a crown. H did not think that would be done, whether a man was a member of the Medical Association or not. Destitute people were entitled to free treatment, if they satisfied the Board they could not pay. Mr Duggan said that one of the men referred to had six children. He was getting only a percentage of his former weekly earnings and 12s from the Association. He could not pay 2/6 every time he attended the hospital, yet he was one who had been refused treatment. Another man complained that the treatment he received was doing him no good, so the doctor told him not to come so often. Of course the man was pleased about that, because he had not to pay so many half crowns, but he had begun to think he would not recover, and his incapacity was preying on his mind. He was anxious to be able to resume work. The Chairman suggested that the Association should make an offer as to what extra contribution it could make in order to ensure free treatment.

Mr Duggan said the Board would have a better idea of what the treatment was worth than the Association. The Chairman expressed the opinion that a report should be secured from the doctor, as to the number of Association patients and the treatment given. A small committee might be set up, with power to act. The Secretary could look up the records to ascertain what special treatment had been given.

Mr McTaggart: It should not be liard to strike an average. 1 think the Board can do it all right.

Mr Duggah said there was another aspect of the matter: A man might be allowed to keep on coming to the hospital for treatment so long as he had enough half-crowns! The Chairman: I don’t, think so. There are too many people really needing treatment, for time to bo wasted like that. Mr Robinson said he would like it to be made clear whether the mine manager had given any guarantee. The Secretary said that the manager had not done so.

Mr McTaggart remarked that mine managers knew too much to guarantee anything!

Mr Devine stated that it was a matter of impossibility for the men to visit the hospital five or six times per week and pay 2/6 each time. Mr Brislane said it appeared that a mistake had been made in charging such Association members 2/6 her visit, for ordinary treatment. Mr Devine maintained that the charge had nevertheless been made. The Chairman said that the Association had been informed three years ago that its agreement with the Board did not cover special treatment, such as* X-ray or massage. That was to be extra. However, the Board would consider the Association’s representations and would give an early reply. Mr Devine said that the general impression among Association members was that there were to be no extra charges. After the deputation had returned thanks and retired, the Chairman said that he would have to ascertain from the doctor what treatment had been charged for. An alternative was to revert to the 1/- fee. Mr F. L. Turley suggested that the Association be asked to contribute an extra £25 per annum, to cover all treatment. Meanwhile, the Secretary could make enquiries as to the average number of Association members given special treatment. If necessary, the

matter could be reviewed after twelve months. Mr A. Robinson favoured the procuring of a report from the doctor. The speaker was, he said, quite prepared to deal fairly with the Association, but he would first like to get some information from the doctor. He suggested that the matter be referred to the town members of the Board, to confer with the doctor, and come to some arrangement. Mr Turley moved that the Association be requested to contribute an extra £25 to provide for all kinds of treatment, and this was seconded by Mr McTaggart. Mr Robinson moved as an amendment that the matter be referred to a committee of the town members. The amendment was seconded by Mr G. Harker, and, after a show of hands, was declared carried. It was decided that the committee should meet to-morrow morning.