HOSPITAL PATIENTS' FEES.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 14130, 5 July 1916, Page 2

HOSPITAL PATIENTS' FEES.

The following question was then discussed :—ln cases where patients pleaded inability to pay the whole or any part of the hospital foes, might a scheme be inaugurated whereby the .iJoard could refer the account to the proper local authority to renort as to tne patient's ability "to pay," and even to assist-in collecting the amount? Delegates pointed out that under the present system of election all parts of tho; district were'not. represented on the Board, consequently the Board ?s at present constituted had. not the necessary knowledge of the financial position of persons in the various districts, and some people in a position to pay the full fees escaped with renuced- fees, while others were charged | tiu 1-fees who were not able to-pay j thpin. - Delegates generally were of Minion that each contributing body i snould he represented on the Board. " ivir. Harley said if the clerk of the ;.rsf : rci v.rote to the contributing bodies ■■- v--iiv] |. n the ability of persons com-' n\cr from tneir respective" districts to nay their hospital fees, information tnat-might be of value to the Board ■could ho^obtained. m 9 r, lfcer said some years ago the ..SKaka, County Council received from V;e-..iioaul n list of persons from their • lisfrict «mng.hosjjital fees, and they v.oro s.jio to supply information.. He saici it. wns an eye-opener to them to 'MH" M-h.T. was owing fees. Xr. Mercer said the arguments'were strongly m favour of local-represent-'

On Cr. Win's motion it w^s resolved •nnt it bp a recommendation to the board to furnish frorr.' time to time to tne local contributing bodies a list nt names of persons in arrears with nosmtal too*, nnd to report privately as to their ability to pay