WAIKATO HOSPITAL BOARD.

Waikato Independent, Volume XII, Issue 1020, 3 June 1911, Page 5

WAIKATO HOSPITAL BOARD.

PATIENTS’ FEES. A discussion took place at the meeting of the Waikato Hospital Board on Thursday on the question of fees to be paid by patients. Acting on the notice given by him at the last meeting, Mr Chepmell moved the following motions: “That the resolution fixing patients’ payments at 3s per day having been carried without notice, the said resolution be rescinded.” “That the patients’ payments be fixed at 5s per day.” In doing so, he said the only notice he had received was of rescinding the motion fixing the fees at 5s per day. He moved resolution No. 1 first, _ Mr C* Keeley, in seconding the motion, said the matter had been dealt with in an unconstitutional manner, and he condsidered that there was no fee fixed for patients since the carrying of the resolution—it was a free hospital. Mr Bailey, as mover of the original motion, said a special meeting was fixed to deal with the question, so that every member might get notice of the business. The matter was adjourned until the following meeting, and he again gave notice of motion, so that every one must have been conversant with the business, as the friendly societies had asked for a reduction of fees. It appeared to him that a minority wished to rule the majority. The chairman contended that the business had been conducted in a constitutional manner. He thought the question of fees should be left over until after the Hospitals Conference. The motion was lost. Mr Chepmell then moved his second resolution. He said he thought it was a mistake when launching out into a lot of unknown expenditure to make such a reduction. There had not been any complaint as far as he knew regarding the fees, which he thought were reasonable, considering the treatment the patients received in such a well-equipped hospital. The reduction would not benefit the poor man, as if he could not afford to pay he was not asked to pay. The only man who would benefit was the well-to-do individual, who could receive treatment at half cost, and the low fee .would induce many people to go to the hospital who should be attended to by medical men outside. At the suggestion of Mr Pinch,, Mr Chepmell fixed the figure for treatment at £1 8s per week. Mr Keeley advocated a universal charge throughout the Dominion, and he moved as an amendment that the matter be referred to the Hospitals Conference for consideration. Mr Shaw seconded, and Mr Paterson spoke in support of the amendment, which was carried, and in the meantime the fees will remain as at present, viz., £1 la per week.