By Isle of Wight Observer
In the Isle of Wight Observer published on 17th August, 1901, changes to charges at Ryde Borough Isolation Hospital were welcomed after patients had previously been left facing unpredictable bills. The new system set weekly fees for parishioners and non-parishioners, although families were still expected to provide food, medicines and other necessities.
THE CHARGES AT THE RYDE BOROUGH HOSPITAL. – The Council are to be congratulated upon having placed the fees charged for patients sent to the Borough Isolation Hospital upon a reasonable and proper basis. Hitherto people, who have taken advantage of the Hospital, have often been quite staggered by the charges sent in. It seemed the Corporation averaged, in some manner not very comprehensible, the cost of the maintenance of the Hospital. If there were several patients, these charges were divided amongst them and were fairly reasonable. If, on the other hand, there were only one or two patients, they were correspondingly heavy.
We are not surprised to learn that some people strongly objected to pay charges apportioned in this manner, more especially as the Corporation servants at the Hospital declined to provide food or medicines, and everything the patients required in that way had to be taken to them ready cooked and prepared. As the Hospital is some distance from the town such arrangements caused a great deal of inconvenience.
It is now decided that the charges for a parishioner shall be 12s. 6d. per week; for a non-parishioner 21s. Some relative or friend must guarantee to provide such food, medicines, and other requisites as may be required; failing friends the Corporation will provide and charge cost.
This is a much more reasonable arrangement than that which has previously been in force, and people will be much less disinclined to take advantage of the place when they know exactly the sum they will be called upon to pay.