PATIENTS IN HOSPITAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19838, 7 January 1928, Page 8

PATIENTS IN HOSPITAL.

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' RATES. DESIRE FOR UNIFORM SYSTEM. [BST TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON. Friday. Arrangements have been made for holding a conference in Wellington on January 26 of representatives of friendly societies, hospital boards and the Department of Health, to consider the treatment of friendly society patients in general hospitals, and, if possible, to formulate the terms of an agreement for adoption throughout the Dominion. At present the agreements in operation in the several districts vary considerably in their terms. A few boards have arrangements with friendly societies for the receipt of an annual per capital sum per member ranging from 12s 6d to £l, entitling the member (or his wife or children) to free treatment in hospital up to a certain maximum. In the majority of cases, however, the friendly societies undertake payment of a proportion of the ordinary charge, in some cases half-fees throughout, in others half-fees for adults, with no reduction for children, and in others upwards of 75 per cent, of the usual charges. In two cases a fixed annual rate per occupied bed is charged whether for an adult or child patient.