HOSPITAL INQUIRY

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 289, 10 November 1925, Page 8

HOSPITAL INQUIRY

FINDING OF COMMITTEE,

In connection with the public inquiry consulted by the Hospital Board yesterday into allegations made by Mr W. Scott, settler of Kimbolton, concerning his wife’s admission to the institution and her treatment there the following report on the committee’s findings was drafted by Sir James Wilson, chairman, for presentation to tho board: — “The evidence shows that Mrs Scott camo to the hospital and was at once admitted to the ward. Mr Scott was then asked questions as to his position and his answers were quite willingly given so that the ordinary admission form could be filled in. When asked to sign a guarantee to pay fees he signed this without demur. This is part of the routine procedure in every case where people say they can pay. Had this guarantee not been given the ordinary ' course to comply with by-law 22 would have been to notify the Otago Hospital Board that Mr Scott, a resident of its district, had been admitted and tlmt, as sho had been only five months in this district and therefore, under section 72 of the Hospitals Act, was still a resident of the Otago district, the Otago Hospital Board would be held responsible for the payment of the fees'. The course taken in having the guarantee signed saved this roundabout process. “The committee finds: —

“(1) It has been shown that Mr Scott was not subjected- to any undue examination other than that which every patient, apart of course from urgent or accident cases, entering the hospital it subjected to, and that no suggestion was made that Mrs Scott should he brought back from the ward to which she had then been admitted, and sent down to Dunedin for treatment. “(2) With regard to the statement that Mrs Scott was not allowed any of her money in tho hands of the managing secretary, it has been shown that this is not correct, for a sum sufficient for her wants was givon her when the managing secretary was asked for it. “(3) It has been shown that Mr Scott was only required to furnish information as to his circumstances ■ which is required from every patient entering practically any public hospital in Now Zealand including Dunedin. “(4) It has been shown that the procedure on admission followed in this caso was in accordance with the by-laws adopted bv the hoard, on the lines suggested by‘the Health Department. This procedure is only what boards aio bound to carry out to protect the interests of the ratepayers m their district Where a patient who can afford to pay fails to do so the ratepayers practically have to foot the hill.