FEES IN HOSPITAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20251, 10 May 1929, Page 11

FEES IN HOSPITAL.

TREATMENT AT ROTORUA.

WAIKATO BOARD'S GUARANTEE

[by telegraph.—own correspondent.] HAMILTON. Thursday. Sortie time ago tlie Waikato Hospital Board entered into an agreement with the Health Department through Mr. J. A. Young, M.P., who was then Minister of Health, that the board should guarantee the payment of treatment for all patients from the board's district in King George V. Hospital, Botorua, at the rate of 5s 9d a day for adults and 3s a day for children. Members expressed annoyance afc to-day's meeting when a letter was read from the acting Director-General of Health, Dr. Watt, stating that it was never intended that the rates referred to should apply to patients drawn from'the whole of the board's district, but only from tho counties of Ilotorua, Matamata and East and West Taupo. The chairman, Mr. C. Johnstone, stated that the contents of the letter were directly opposed to the agreement mado with the former Minister of Health Another member said there was a suggestion that the board was " dumping " patients into the Government institution at Ilotorua and he strongly resented the suggestion. It was unanimously resolved " that the board expressos its surprise! that the department should make definite restrictions regarding the admission of patients to King George V. Hospital and that it has only agreed to the reduced rates on tho distinct understanding that the arrangements in other respects would apply as hitherto."