HOSPITAL EXPENSES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21063, 27 June 1930, Page 14

HOSPITAL EXPENSES.

COMPENSATION AWARDS. POWER OP ATTACHMENT SOUGHT. (Peb United Pbesp Association.) WELLINGTON. June 20. The necessity for amending 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 the meeting of the Wellington Hospital Board to-day. Mr A. J. M’Curdy, chairman pf 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. “ That,/1 think, is about the meanest thing a person can do,” said Mr C. M. Luke. "We are trying to get legislation introduced that will meet eases of that kind.” Mr W. S. 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 the plaintiff’s solicitors, who, in turn, had no power to withhold payment from the plaintiff. As it was at present the board had no other remedy. .A short clause in the " WashingUp ” Bill authorising the registrar in such cases to pay only to the hospital board or to its representatives all amounts awarded by the court as hospital expenses would meet the case and probably save the board a considerable sum each year.