HOSPITAL BOARD SUING FOR OUTSTANDING FEES

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6953, 5 July 1929, Page 9

HOSPITAL BOARD SUING FOR OUTSTANDING FEES

EVERY EFFORT TO RECOVER.

“We ought to take even extreme action in cases where patients can pay and don’t do so,” remarked Mr. J. HPerrett during a discussion on hospital matters at yesterday’s conference of local bodies in Palmerston North. Are wo doing as much as we can to collect fees?” he asked. Tho secretary (Mr. A. J. Phillipps) stated that the board had adopted a policy of suing and each week saw cases before tho magistrate, me trouble chiefly with patients who went into hospital in tho summer was that tho winter saw many out of work, in a large number of cases the board had to accept payment in instalments. It had been very reluctant to sue and adopted the policy that deots of butchers, bakers, grocers, etc. should take precedence to tho hospital debt. Mr. G. P. Catley, a board member, considered that more fees should bo collected. Tho secretary visited tno various board members occasionally and went into accounts owing witli them and the ability of debtors to p .. • Even then there were evasions but me board did not willingly let oil a man who could pay. v P ;idMr C. E. Taylor (Mayor of heiiu ing) suggested that the board make use of members of tlic various local bodies who might have a fair too - ledge of the financial position oi tne people in their district. , 1 The secretary explained that he had made numerous visits to the outlying districts and consulted with board members over outstanding fees and u doubtcdlv the visits wore I"° ltaWe - He would welcome any information.