HOSPITAL MATTERS.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 3625, 22 August 1901, Page 4

HOSPITAL MATTERS.

~~ To the Editor of the "Timaru Herald." Sir, —In. your report of the monthly meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board in to-day's "Herald/ I see you have quoted fully the figures worked out by Mr Macintosh with regard to the average amounts collected on the number of patients. treated, which shows Timaru to is the .lowest—9s' ■the report the chairman said the average ■days' stay in Timaru Hospital is 24.82. Therefore a total of 445 patients treated ■and staying on an average nearly 25 days in the institution, pay only 9s each for board and lodging, with every comfort, being waited on night and day, and ; medical attendance thrown in. Again forwards the end of the report is a complaint coming from the members of n Coroner's jury, that the body of a woai<n : "who was found dead n her cottage was placed in the coffin by the undertaker ■and buried in an unwashed and unkempt •condition. . Can anyone ex]i.ain why t':.'•• -state of things should exist' How "s it that the amount received from patien*« is so small, and who is supposed to supervise the burying of paupers and see that it is carried out in a decent manner befitting a human being. It is either gross mismanagement on behalf of some official {or officials), or it reflects great discredit <m the inhabitants of the d:>tiict who j ieaefit by the Timaru Hospital. It the |

secretary's duties are so arduous that he has jio time to devote to the collecting of payments due, why not put on a special collector.? I am, etc., REFORMER. Timaru, Aug. 21st, 1901.