HOSPITAL FEES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22032, 12 February 1935, Page 14

HOSPITAL FEES

LIABILITY OF BOARDS PEOPLE FROM OTHER AREAS WHANGAREI DISCUSSION [nv TELEGRAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT] WHANGAREI, Monday The question of the payment of fees incurred by patients from the districts of other hospital boards was discussed by the Whangarei Hospital Hoard today.

A letter was received from the Hokianga Hospital Board advising that an account for £177 which was rendcrfed bv the Wliangarei Board for treatment of patients had been considered. The board had decided to repudiate liability in cases in which patients had travelled past the Hokianga Hospital, except those patients who were admitted to Whangarei hospital under the authority of the Hokianga hospital medical superintendent, as previously advised. The letter concluded by stating that where Hokianga residents had been temporarily working within the hangarei boundaries the board was prepared to treat each case on its merits. The chairman, Mr. J. McCarroll, said the letter opened up a big question. The account for £177 included one amount of £l6O which was no doubt the account repudiated. The facts were that a woman who was attended by a private practitioner at Kohukohu was eventually sent to Whangarei for treatment by that practitioner. Treatment was not possible at the Hokianga hospital and the patient's condition was so serious when admitted that treatment was very lengthy and removal impossible. No doubt the question of her fees would have to go before the Minister. The secretary said the woman had been stung by a wasp, and after treatment by a private practitioner, she was sent to Whangarei, where it was eventually necessary to amputate one leg. It was decided to request the Hokianga Board to state definitely which account is disputed, FINANCES OP THAMES BOARD MANAGEMENT COMPLIMENTED [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] THAMES, Monday The Thames Hospital Board at its meeting to-day received a letter from Dr. M. H. Watt, Director-General of Health, complimenting the board on the state of its finances and on living within its means.

The secretary, in reply to a question, said that ihe receipts and expenses up to the present were about equal.

The Thames Ministers' Association asked the board to instal wireless in the hospital as funds for that purpose had been collected some time ago. The chairman said that some funds available, but the hoard had no power to pay out for installing or maintaining wireless sets. Danby said that in wards as run in the Thames Hospital it would bo impossible to instal loud-speakers, while separate headphones would cost more than the board had in hand. The board decided to reply to the Ministers' Association accordingly.