HOSPITAL EXPENSES

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1010, 28 June 1930, Page 5

HOSPITAL EXPENSES

COMPENSATION AV/ARDS KEPT BY PATENTS LEGISLATION WANTED Press Association YIELLJ NGTON, Friday. The necessity fctr amending legislation empowering hospital boards to attack any amount awarded by the Supreme Court iu compensation cases, especially to me et expenses incurred in the institutior n, was stressed at a mating of tho Wellington Hospital Board yesterday . Mr. A. J. McCurdy, chairman of thf 3 Fees Committee, said that some peoj >le, after being allowed hospital expenses, never thought for one moment tj It was their duty to pay their hospital account. “That, I thi/jfk, is about the meanest thing a perrfon can do.” said Mr. C. M. Luke. "We are trying to get legislation introduced that will meet cases of thaft, kind.” Mr. W. |<g. Cooper, investigating officer, in V/is monthly report, stated that as th#.> law stood at present, he understood all amounts awarded by the Supra .ne Court, even although specially /md specifically awarded for hospital <? xpenses. must be paid over by the ct ourt to plaintiff’s solicitors, who in V urn, had no power to withhold pay ment from plaintiff. As it was at y resent, the board had no other remedy. A short clause in the “wasli-ing-up’* Bill authorising the registrar in sue) i cases to pay only to the liospitu 1 board or its representatives all anjounts awarded by the court as hospitj xl expenses would meet the case, and j robably save the board a consider/ sum each year.