BACTERIOLOGICAL WORK

Northern Advocate, 8 June 1936, Page 6

BACTERIOLOGICAL WORK

PAYMENT OF FEES On the motion of Mrs. J. Donaldson, the Whangarei Hospital Board today decided that all future bacteriological fees be a liability of the patient, excluding arrangements made with other, hospitals. The; resolution was carried as the result of a request from local practitioners that a charge be made in the system of payment of bacteriological fees. The chairman, Mr. J. A. S, Mac Kay, said that the doctors had bacterological work done for patients, some of whom paid nothing, and the doctors considered that it was a hardship to ha’Ve to pay these fees themselves. If the motion were carried, the patients would owe the money to the board. However, he considered that doctors owing money under the present system should pay outstanding accounts first. Mrs. Donaldson: “Some have paid and others have not.” Mr. McKinlay: “Have you any information as to what other boards do?” The chairman said he thought the motion quite fair. The secretary said the board had always held that the medical man had the work done for his own benefit, and should therefore pay.

The motion was carried. The secretary said that £2O 17/- was due to the board for work done. Mrs. Donaldson moved that the resolution take effect w'hen account! now owing were disposed of. This was carried.