HOSPITAL FINANCE.

Southland Times, Issue 19553, 29 June 1922, Page 2

HOSPITAL FINANCE.

To the Editor. Sil*;- —In connection with Mr Pryde’g statement to your reporter on the above subject. I find by inquiry at the County Office, that the levy on the Southland County for Hospital and Charitable Aid will not be increased by £3OOO for the current year, but by £2425. I made the mistake by including the levy to be paid by the Southland County to the Public Health Department in the increase. Mr Pryde’s figures are extremely interesting. 'Diey show that during recent years the maintenance of the hospitals and burden of charitable aid is being gradually placed on the land and property-holders, while the general taxpayer is being correspondingly relieved. Mr Pryde also shows that the funds of the local board are being capably managed. Trading concerns, business men and farmers alike find it necessary to draw upon reserves and capital to meet obligations during the current strenu ous year. The Hospital Board is so strongly financed and so capably managed that it is able to place £5OOO to its reserve fund in spite of the general money stringency. It is also fortunate in that it enjoys an increased revenue, while every individual in the country is complaining of depleted income. Farmers generally are more concerned with the question of admission to pulffic than with the finances of the hospital boards. They recognise that these institutions are a necasaity, and are willing to contribute to their maintenance. They how ever would naturally Eke to be certain of the right of admission for treatment should they or theirs require it. I find on inquiry that there seems to be no fixed rule governing this admission at. least when a would-be patient belongs to the country. Two district, fanners told me they were admitted practically without question, another said he was refused and told he was able to pay for attention in a private hospital. A Wyndham farmer at the Farmers’ Union Conference, stated that his daughter was ordered to the Gore Hospital for immediate operation, and before he could secure her admittance he had to sign a form concerning his financial standing that was not according to fact. The same fanner motored bis neighbour’s daughter to the same hospital and sw her admitted practically without a question being asked. Mr Pryde may be able to explain these anomahea; they are none the less annoying.—l am, etc., P. ARNOTT. Seaward Downs.