HOSPITAL CHARGES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22215, 16 September 1935, Page 11

HOSPITAL CHARGES

WELLINGTON REDUCTIONS COMPARISON WITH AUCKLAND STATEMENT BY MR. WALLACE "Patients do not suffer from the charge made by the Auckland Hospital Board, because if they cannot pay they do not," said the chairman of the board, Mr. W. Wallace, on Saturday, referring to proposals of the Wellington Hospital Board to reduce charges by between 25 and 50 per cent as from January 1. The Wellington board lias decided to reduce the charge for inpatients from 12s to 9s a da}', or from £i 4s to £3 3s a week.

Mr. Wallace said the Wellington board was the first in New Zealand to make the charge of 12s a day, which was the present rate at Auckland. "In Auckland the best of facilities are available for people who require treatment," said Mr. Wallace. "The present charge does not impose hardship, as it is not exacted if people are destitute. People are expected to pay according to their means. Under the system employed it is not disclosed outside the official records who cannot pay. This means that any person is assured of having the best treatment, no matter what his or her financial circumstances."

If the charge for in-patients was reduced below 12s a day certain revenue which was now received would not bo available, Mr. Wallace added. This included payments made on behalf of patients by Government departments, the navy and other hospital boards. The alternative to lower charges would be a higher levy on contributing local bodies.

In comparison with Wellington, the charges for dental work were lower at the Auckland Hospital. In Wellington there were both an examination and a consultation foe, while in Auckland there was no charge for dental examination.

"The experience of public hospitals of recent years has been that they arc being more used by people who can afford to pay the charges," added Mr. Wallace. "I believe this is due to the acknowledged high stnndard of treatment and efficiency which a public hospital with a highly-trained staff and the best medical advice can give."