HOSPITAL FEES

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 47, 24 August 1923, Page 8

HOSPITAL FEES

HUGE AMOUNTS WRITTEN OFF.

Ironi time to time a recommendation cornea before the Wellington Hospital Board recommending the writing off of accounts which the board's receiver has been unable to collect. The amounts which have been written off have in past ?.7 a r»r^ each-? d anythi »g UP t« °r above JWU.OOO. One of the members of the board said yeatcrday at the board meetmg\ th,at it wius generally over this amount. The discussion arose over an amount running into thousands, which was recommended for writing off. One of the new member* said ho did not understand how tho inquiries were made, but he said he sa w one liame on the hst which was a ease where he consl(£,red P^mont should be obtsinable. The chairman, referring to the report of the receiver, gnjd the debtor was a widow who Imd been left penniless. He said this question bad been raised before, and member* who were interested maintained that interest for a time, but generally tirnd suddenly. The recommendation was referred back to tho Finance Committee. Later in the meeting it wa B mentioned that the roadway to the Hospital on Sundays wus lately being blocked Tjv car?, and th« ambulance had difficulty in getting out. J

x,\ Ir:, C- n \G 'Wnaji: "Is that a sign that the patients are of a more wealth? class?" J

Mr C. M. Luke: "It seems to show that the citizens are becoming more well-to-do, and the prices of cars are de creasing."

A member: "Perhaps there will be fewer outstanding accounts soon."