HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23227, 22 December 1938, Page 16

HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

TAURANGA BOARD REMITS BURDEN OF MAORI PATIENTS [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] TAURANGA, Wednesday The Tauranga Hospital Board decided that a remit be submitted to the hospital boards' conference at New Plymouth in February advocating that the treatment of infantile paralysis be made a national charge. Another remit was adopted that the cost of specialist treatment under the Health Act be' borno by the Government. The Auckland Hospital Board notified that from January 1 the charge for treatment of cases from other boards' districts in the Auckland Hospital would be 15s a day for both adults and children. It was decided to advise the Auckland board ithat it would be necessary to charge' patients from the latter board's district the same fees as indicated by the Auckland hoard. The medical officer of health advised that a second district health nurse, Miss J. Malcolm, had been placed by the department in the board's area, with headquarters at Te Puke. The secretary reported that he had supplied the county clerk with information in regard to Maoris' fees. In the year 1935-36 there were 81 Maori patients, tho fees incurred amounted to £407, and the amount collected was £54, while amounts collected from tho Government or other boards totalled £B3. In 1936-37 the figures were 91. £677, £7l, £2l; and in 1937-38, 114. £958, £7B. £35. The chairman, Mr. A. E. Ncwsham, said the board was carrying a heavy burden in regard to the treatment of Maoris.