MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONS AND HOSPITAL BOARD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 11 June 1936, Page 6

MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONS AND HOSPITAL BOARD

“CONCESSIONS SHOULD NOT BE ASKED FOR” OPINION OF BOARD CHAIRMAN The opinion that Medical Associations, comprised of men who were earning good wagts, should not ask hospital boards for concessions, was expressed by Major R. Dagger, chairman of the Nelson Hospital Board, at the monthv meeting yesterday. The discussion arose out of a report that the workers on the Motueka Aerodrome and Takaka Hill improvement work, v/ere forming a Medical Association and wished to make a suitable arrangement for the treatment of its members at the hospital. Major Dagger said that such associations should not ask for concessions. Experience had shown that it cost 18s per day for each patient in the hospitals in New Zealand. The Nelson Beard charged 12s per day, which left the ratepayer!: to provide 6s per day for each patierit. The men on the Motueka aerodrome work were earning 16s per day, and if they asked for concessions they would be asking the board to saddle the ratepayers generally with something they should not be called, on to pay. The men engaged on the work mentioned were each earning over £ 200 per vcai, but a great number of the ratepayers who would bo called on to make up the difference were not earning that amount. The ratepayers did not mind helping those who could not pay, but the men mentioned were in a "position to pay for their hospital treatment. Mr J. Fitz-Gerald said he was in favour of such Medical Associations. The chairman said the Medical Associations could guarantee a certain amount of the fees, but because a man belonged to an association he should not be entitled to more consideration than the man who was not in an association. Mr Fitz-Gerald pointed out that at the present time the hospital collected 34 per cent, of the fees, and ii! the association guaranteed the board 50 per cent, of the fees payable by its members the board would be better off. Major Dagger said there was a principle involved. The workers referred to could pay for their treatment and ought to be made to pay. Mr N. McConochie said it was probable the board would get an application for an ararngement from the miners in the Howard district. As there was no definite applica- j lion befo-e the board the discussion j then lapsed. ;