PAYMENT OF HOSPITAL FEES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 231, 24 June 1921, Page 6

PAYMENT OF HOSPITAL FEES

HOW PATIENTS ESCAPE LIABILITY. When the. question of the payment of hospital fees was before the board yesterday, and Mr. J. Glover had been assured, in answer to a question, that patients were not "dunned" on their beds for the hospital fees, Mr. C. H. Chapman eaid that he did not believe any member of the board wished to see patients asked for fees whilst still undergoing treatment. The trouble was that it was the Hospital Board that was “done” by the many patients who could pay, and declined to do so. There had always been a difficulty in collecting fees from the thousands who never wished to pav. and he believed that a big economy would be effected if no fees were charged nt all. and the amount needed was levied on all through the rates. Mr. S. H. Underwood: "I presume Mr. Chapman means another eighteenpence tacked on to the rent ” Mr. C. M. Luke said that Mr. Chapman’s idea was perhaps a little in advance of the times. There was no doubt that n number of people did escape their liabilities, and the board was placed at n disadvantage in consequence, but members’ duty was to do the best they could under the Act.