"INIQUITOUS POSITION."

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 17063, 16 August 1917, Page 7

"INIQUITOUS POSITION."

HOSPITAL PATIENTS' LIABILITY

A DISPUTED ACCOUNT.

Yesterday the Wanganui Hospital Board received a letter from the Napier Hospital Board acknowledging receipt of a cheque for £220 for the treatment of patients which the Wanganui Board were responsible for, and forwarding a further account of £57 odd in connection with another patient The Chairman (Mr T. H. Battle) said in regard to the latest account he had drawn the attention of the Minister to the fact that the Board was not responsible for a patient who had lived 12 months in Napier. Mr Smith considered that the present system of Boards charging one another was unworkable. It caused perpetual trouble. He considered that each Board should be responsible for tlio sick in its district.

The Chairman said a resolution on those lines had been carried at the Hospital Boards' Conference. The present system was iniquitous. Tt was often difficult to prove where a patient came from.

Mr Joblin: What about all these "ships that pass in the night?? Don't any of them ever come to us? The Chairman replied that the Board was now keeping a record. Previously it appeared to be understood among the Boards not to make these charges, but one or two Boards stuck out and forced the hands of the rest. UniorlKinately, until recently the Wanganui Board had not kept any record and so had "fell in." On looking through the books they had found only a few cases they could chanrfe.

Mr Fletcher suggested that legislation was necessary to meet the position.

The Chairman said the position was that should a dispute arise between Hospital Boards, the Minister should arbitrate and give a decision. He considered the Board was not liable for the present account.

Tt was decided to disclaim any liability.