INSURANCE SCHEME

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 170, 20 July 1935, Page 12

INSURANCE SCHEME

HOSPITAL BOARD.

INDEMNITY AGAINST CLAIMS.

SEQUEL TO COURT DECISION,

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

DUNEDIN, tlijs day,

As the sequel to the recent Appeal Court decision in which damages were awarded against a southern hospital board for an injury which a patient suffered while being treated by a member of the nursing staff, the Cook Hospital Boaul lias decided to take steps to indemnify iiself against any claim which might arise as a result of any accident, or negligence 011 the part of its employees. The questio.l was raised by Dr. J. C. Collins, who moved that the board should insure itself against liability up to £2000. Hitherto, he said, there had been little danger of the board being mulcted in damages for the act of a skilled oilicer or nurse, but the court ruling now altered the position. The cost of protection, lie added, would be 12/(3 per bed for the first fifty beds, and 7/0 per bcl for the next hundred. The total annual cost to the Cook Board would be £08 15/. The indemnity would be limited to £1000 for one action, and a total of £4000 any one vefir.

The proposal met with the general approval of other me.ubers, and a committee was appointed to examine the details and to arrange a temporary cover of £1000 in the meantime.