OUR HOSPITALS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 25, 24 July 1911, Page 7

OUR HOSPITALS.

To the Editor. Sir, —Truly the British and colonial subject is a very patient animal—at least in some matters. Just now it strikes, me as very evident in the matter of our hospitals. When the question was asked of Dr. Valintine whether anyone was eligible, for treatment there, and could demand it, he, of course, answered in the affirmative; but what a. protest there arose (uttered or unexpressed) that anyone able to bear the expense of private treatment should be admitted to the public institutions! No one seems to have noticed this and so, rather late, I wish to draw attention to it. It is with public money that the hospitals are built and staffed, and consequently everyone has a right to claim treatment there, under proper conditions. There are many of independent spirit, though not. of what is called independent means, who would object to receiving charitable aid or anything approaching it;, and that is what it seems some of our professional men want to make their services at the public hospitals appear. There is a danger lest we get too much under the rule of the professional. Why should an amateur income-tax assessor be allowed to say who are and who arc not proper persons to be treated in public hospitals? We don't know much about private hos-1 pit&ls, but we do know that the public institution is under strict supervision and under ,the public gaze and criticism. I have no wish to suggest that doctors are, on the whole, tpo well paid for. their services, ,'lt is stated that they] do a of, work without pay, and] bo must make some pay more to make < up for those who.do not pay. That is business, and it is also reason in the; matter'of treatment of the sick; only let someone else do the grading. "The time, is not far distant when the wholb question of public health— ; protective and restorative—will come under a new system of public' control. Doctors will be well paid, the public well treated, the burden properly graduated. Many could tell a tale that would throw light on the economies that have to be made in what are already thrifty households because the cost of medical attendance is so heavy—but not at the public hospital. Public ownership and public control of public necessities is a good motto and skilful medical treatment is a public necessity.—l am, etc., G.H.M.