COLLECTION OF HOSPITAL FEES

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 161, 27 June 1930, Page 7

COLLECTION OF HOSPITAL FEES

IN COMPENSATION CASES. AMENDING LEGISLATION URGED. Wellington, June 26. The necessity for amending the legislation empowering hospital boards to attach any amount awarded by the Supreme Court, in compensation cases especially, to meet expenses incurred in the institution was stressed at a meeting of the Wellington Hospital Board today. Mr. A. J. McCurdy, chairman of the fees committee, said that some people after being allowed hospital expenses never thought for one moment that it was their duty to pay their hospital account. “What I think is that it is about the meanest thing a person can do,” said Mr. 0. M. Luke. “We are trying to got legislation introduced that will meet cases of this kind.” Mr. W. 8. Cooper, investigating officer, in his monthly report stated that as the law stood at present he understood that all amounts awarded by the Supreme Court — even although specially and specifically awarded for hospital expenses—must be paid over by the Court to plaintiff’s solicitor who in turn hail no powei to withhold payment from plaintiff. As it was at present the board had no other remedy. A short clause in a “washing up” bill, authorising the registrar in such cases to pay only to the hospital board or their representatives all amounts accorded by the Court as hospital expenses would meet the case and probably save the board a considerable sum each year.