USE OF AN AMBULANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19094, 12 August 1925, Page 17

USE OF AN AMBULANCE.

COMPLAINT OF ABUSE. THAMES HOSPITAL DISTRICT. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] THAMES. Tuesday. The use of the hospital ambulance provided the t'nemo of a short discussion at a meeting of the Thames Hospital Board. The minimum fee under which the ambulance leaves the garage is 10s. It has frequently happened that 'the vehicle has been requisitioned within tho borough limits when a taxi could have been secured for a feo of 2s 6d. On occasions long journeys have been mado to the country districts at a cost of between £3 and £4, when the chargo for a

taxi would havo been 30s at most. Tho discussion aroso out of an intimation from the caretakers of a desire to be relieved of their charge of the ambulance. They offered to carry on until other arrangements could be made. Mr. Hall suggested that vjie charges might be overhauled. Mr. Danby desired information as to who "had authority to order tho ambulance. Apparently there had been cases of the ambulance being used by people who wero well able to charter and pay fcr a private car, lie said. The board was not always paid for tho use of the ambulance, and some stricter supervision should be exercised as to who should have its use. There were cases of patients demanding the ambulance who only remained in the hospital for two or three days. The chairman agreed that tho position was unsatisfactory. The usual practice was to telephono or send out tho vehicle at the order of a medical man. Doctors often placed their own cars at the disposal of patients.

Mr. Danby insisted that the board should not be called on to foot the bill when peoplo well able to afford other means of transit abused the privilege. The chairman and secretary were eventually deputed to adjust tho matters at issue.