MATERNITY PATIENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20767, 9 January 1931, Page 14

MATERNITY PATIENTS.

FEES AT HAMILTON. BOARD FAVOURS ONE RATE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] HAMILTON, Thursday. Advice was received by tho Waikato Hospital Board to-day from tho Deputy-Director-General of Health, Dr. M. H. Watt, that the board should redraft its regulations to provide for a variation in the fees charged for maternity treatment in the new ward. Dr. Watt suggested a maximum feo of 9s a day for those with incomes of £250 a year or less, except in the case of those with no other children, who might be charged the higher rate of 13s a day. For the feo of 9s a day the patient should receive antenatal care at the clinic, attendance of the midwifery .staff and postnatal attention. For patients whoso husbands received over £250 a year and for any who elected to employ their own medical practitioner, the fee should be 12s a day.

The chairman, Mr. J. J. Ryburn, said the board had previously agreed that there should be no differential rate. It would be extremely difficult to assess people's incomes, and if a flat rate of 9s were charged, with a booking fee of £1 Is, he thought that should be satisfactory.

Mr. C. J W. Barton said tho main object of establishing the maternity ward was to cater for poor people. It was not the desire of the board to compete with private nursing homes. He thought one rate of 9s should be charged. Dr. R, A. S. Graham explained that the. ante-natal clinic was a most important part of tho new ward. If expectant mothers would consult the staff many of the complications which arose later could be avoided. Pre-booking would be. very helpful. An ante-natal clinic would occupy tlie time of an additional sister. It was decided to refer the matter to the House and Finance Committeo for consideration. It was stated by the chairman that the ward would be opened to receive patients on January 15. and that a uniform feo of 9s a day would bo charged until further notice.