HOSPITAL FEES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15321, 17 September 1920, Page 9

HOSPITAL FEES.

Uegardnig'the mat^r of fees to friendl*. societies m respect to tho recently m creased hospital fees, a letter was'mit at yesterday's meeting of the Hospitu Board from a meeting of friendly tsoen' tics, stating that the latter were prepai cd lo guarantee 21s pel- week for thoii members iv hospital. Tho chairman moved that tilt* oiler oi the societies bo accepted,— Mr 11. DuCostti seconded the motion, and said he thought it was a. wise step.— Mr W. JY McCliskk questioned whether it was right to aeecpt a guarantee from friendly societies and not from anyone else, lie did not want an injustice done to anyone. About 96 per cent of tho fees were paid into the J hospital by peoplo outside the societies [and why should the 4 per cent, receive a j privilege over the others?— Mr G. W. I Humphreys said the friendly societies could make a much better offer than the one made. lit* would not support tho motiqu.— Mr Toinbleson said he did not think friendly societies had a right to tho privilege.— Mr Coleman said tho friendly societies guaranteed the patients' fees, but if tho privilege was not granted then the Board would have to look to the individual for payment and not to uny society.— Mr Lewis said it was absurd to think that a patient could be kept for 21s per week as offered by the Societies. The institution should bo run as near as possible on a proper business basis. — Mr Johuston reminded the Board that it should be considered that the friendly societies saved tbe Board a big expenditure m charitable aid, and it was therefore up to the Board to grant them some concession.— Mr White said the friendly societies should increase their fees m accordance with the hospital increase. — Mr Tombleson thought some difference should be made, although tho offer by the societies Should have been more generous. On the other hand any guarantee was worth something. — Mr Tombleson moved us an amendment that the matter be deferred till next meeting to enable the secretary to secure full information.— The I chairman said the secretary had. all the necessary information as to former agreements. — Mr Tombleson then altered his amendment to read that the same percentage of rebate be guaranteed to | friendly societies. — This was not seconded, land Mr Lewis moved that friendly societies bo allowed 3s 6d per week below the [ordinary fees.— This amendment also was not seconded, and on being put to the meeting the motion also was defeated. The chairman said he had been going into the matter of children's fees, and he moved that the fee for children patients be 2s 6d per day, m lieu of tho .former! rate of 2s. — Mr McC,liskie contended that j the rate should not be altered, and children should be dealt with as cheaply as possible. The cost should be made as reasonable as possible. — The chairman: Isn't that reasonable enough; I get 6ick of all this talk.— Mr Colemau: Other peoplo do not think it nonsense, and Ij am rather surprised at tho remark like' that coming from the chairman. Mr Coleman said ho was m favor of children being admitted free, but under the circumstances he would * support Mr McCliskie's contention that the- foes for children should not be increased, — It was decided to embody Mr McCliskie's contention as an •amendment. — The chairman later apologised for his hasty remark. — Mr Humphreys said Messrs Johnston and Coleman had been inconsistent m their attitude m the matter.^— Tbis Mr Johnston took exception to.— On being put to the meeting the amendment was carried to the effect that no increase be made m the fees for children.