THE HOSPITALS

Hokitika Guardian, 9 June 1930, Page 2

THE HOSPITALS

TREATMENT OF PATIENTS

DIFFERENTIATION 0 PPOSEI >

WELLINGTON, June 5

The introduction of class distinctions and differelibation in the treatment of patients admitted to public hospitals was strongly opposed by a deputation from the Wellington Trades and Labour Council, representing also the Alliance of Laboui, which waited on the Minister loi Health to-day Both the Minister and the Director-General of Health gave an assurance that there was no such intention.

Mr P. Frastir. M.P., -said there should not be the slightest trace of differentation in the treatment of patients in. the public hospitals. The idea seemed to exist that people who could pay more than the minimum charge should be able to get better treatment,’ but the deputation considered that the public institutions should confer equally and without partiality the benefit of curative processes on all patients. They asked for an assurance that differentiation of treatment should not be extended to the public hospitals. Any such discrimination was likely to reactagainst the proper treatment of the inmates.

PRIVATE WARDS

While giving full credit to the value qf the work done by the medical profession Air Fraser said they strpugly objected to the propaganda carried on for years by the British Medical Association for the establishment of separate private paying wards in public hospitals. Such a system he regarded as most vicious and likely to lead to all sorts of complications as well as involving the public in extra expense. The idea of incurring large capital expenditure in equipping wards which W’ould 'benefit the members of the medical profession in their . own ipriva-te capacity was totally wrong. Institutions which were essentially community concerns should pot be utilised in any way for. the benefit of private practitioners. “The late . Minister for Health,” said Air Fraser, “stood firmly against anything in the nature of distinctions being brought into, the hospitals, and I think the present Parliament takes up the same attitude. It has been a matter of surprise to us that since you accepted,. the portfolio of health there have been repeated indications of weakening in regard to this matter. We hope we are wrong, and we ask for an assurance that you are not prepared to agree to the thin end of th 0 wedge being driven in, injuring our hospital system fundamentally and introducing class distinctions and plutocratio differentiation into institutions where the only thought should be the patients’ requirements and how they can be given the best possible treatment.

DIRECTOR’S DECLARATION.

The Director-General of Health (Dr Valintine) said that because of the alarming increase in the coß t of hospital maintenance he had proposed that certain wards be set apart for special paying patients in the same way as distinction was made between railway compartments. Personally he had never advocated any distinction in social standing.

Mr 11, Semple, M.P,: We don’t say it is your intention, but that it will follow,

“Not whilst I am alive,” Dr Valintine declared emphatically, “nor while my successor, Dr Watt, is in charge, We are not going to have any class distinctions in our hospitals. We are both decided on that, nor will we allow the medical profession to boss the hospitals, I assure you a very different tone has come over the medical profession in recent years. They will have to be watched, mind you, hut at present you need have no fears so long, as I or Dr Watt or the Minister is here. The Minister is watching it just as closely as you are. Don c think we are going to lose sight or the great principle involved in the Act of 1908,”

MINISTER’S ASSURANCE

The Minister (Die Hon, A, J, Stallworthy) said he would appreciate the protest of the deputation if the minimum hospital fee did not cover all the essentials of the best medical treatment given to other inmates who might ibe paying much more in fees, Mr St a)ll worthy justified differentiation in a special hospital such as that at Hanmcr, and said that without such a system the institution would show a large loss financially.

Air Fraser: The system is vicious. It is giving treatment according to money instead of necessity. The Minister: I would agree if the minimum fee did not include essential service.

If the present system were abolished, he said, they would have to consider raising the minimum fee in regard to private wards generally. He continued; “it is my firm conviction that the hospital is the last place on earth svhere class distinction should be thought of. In times of sickness, distress, and death, all eocial and political distinctions are subjected to a common level. I will never consent to any differentiation of treatment in the public hospitals of the Dominion. With the general basis of your arguments to-day I am in absolute agreement. It is quite