WESTPORT FEES

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28019, 13 July 1956, Page 16

WESTPORT FEES

400 PER CENT. RISE IN BOROUGH (From Our Own Reporter) WESTPORT, July 12. Although it would mean an increase of at least 400 per cent, on the present charge made in Westport and a substantial rise on charges for running elsewhere in the Buller district, the Buller Hospital Board considered at its monthly meeting that it would have to adopt the new policy of the Health Department for ambulance services The present charge of 3s 9d for the service within the Westport borough. with a discount of 9d if paid by a certain time, has been increased to 12s. Additional mileage will be assessed at 6d a mile to a maximum charge of 30s. The usual charge from the county is £1 Is.

The board is empowered to partcharge for services to patients travelling from their homes to hospital, injured persons taken from sports fixtures and certain other cases.

The acting-ihanaging secretary (Mr K. R. Johnston) said that it cost £650 to maintain the ambulances last year, £55 was received in fees and outstanding fees amounting to £BB had been written off. He said the new rates would bring in £250 a year if all were collected.

Sports bodies, especially racing clubs, were mentioned by members. It was stated that they could either pay for the services of an ambulance to wait through fixtures or call one at the hospital, when the new charge would be made.