HOSPITALS' WORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23129, 30 August 1938, Page 13

HOSPITALS' WORK

COSTS OF TREATMENT GRANT FROM STATE FUND DOUBT AS TO SUFFICIENCY Fears that there would bo little or no alleviation in the present burden of hospital taxation, and the opinion that the proposed grant of 6s a patient from the special State fund would be inadequate to meet the costs of treatment, were expressed at a special meeting of the Auckland Hospital itanrd last night, when the effects of the Social Security Bill were considered. Although unanimous in advocating the necessity for an increased per capita allowance, members differed in their views as to tlio measure of hospital treatment that would be required following the introduction of tlio scheme. The chairman, Mr. Allan J. Moody, said the measure possessed a very wide aspect as far as hospital boards were concerned, in view of the many benefits which they would be required to perforin. Advice from the Hospital Boards' Association was that its executive would keep in close touch with the position and a conference of the boards would be called at a later stage when the Government's proposals were advanced Position ol Ratepayers Mr. J. Sayegh said it would be wise to point out to the Minister the position in Auckland, where the contributing local bodies were concerned at the increasing levy required for the upkeep of the hospital. It was going to be quite impossible in the future to reduce the amount that was required from year to year. "The (is from the fund is not enough," he said. "Nor would 8s be sufficient." "The ratepayers are already heavily taxed and I trust they will not have to shoulder the additional responsibility of meeting any deficit between .the Government's contribution and the actual cost of treatment," said Mr. (J. T. Parviu. "The whole of the cost of hospital upkeep should be borne by the State so that all contributed equally to the costs." Mr. W. A. Bishop said if an allowance of 6s a patient was accepted they would still be obliged to fall back on the ratepayers. Details not Clarified A full account of the discussions between the Minister of Health, the Hon. P. Fraser. and the executive of the Hospital Boards' Association was given bv the Rev. W. C. Wood. He said the bill bristled with clauses which required clarification and it was realised that many of the small services which were not explicitly described woidd amount in the aggregate to considerable cost. Mr. IC. H. Potter said everything depended upon tlio arrangement made between the doctors and the Government. If it were satisfactory, it should result in more patients being treated in their own homes and ip fewer requiring admission to hospital. Dr. Hilda Northcroft said there were a great many services performed by the average New Zealand doctor which could not come under the description of general practitioner work, and this would doubtless result in a largo increase in the number of patients.

A motion was carried unanimously stating that the allowance of 0s was considered inadequate to meet the cost per patient and requesting the Minister to favourablv consider a substantial increase.