TO PAY HOSPITAL FEES

Taranaki Daily News, 27 June 1930, Page 9

TO PAY HOSPITAL FEES

“COMPENSATION NOT USED.” HOSPITAL BOARD SEEKS POWER. By Telegraph.-—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The necessity- for amending legislation so that hospital boards would be empowered 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 to-day. Mr. A. J. McCurdy, chairman of the fees committee, said some people, • after being allowed hospital expenses, never thought for one moment that it was their duty to pay their hospital account. “That, I 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 cases of that kind.” Mr. W. S. Cooper, investigating- officer, in his monthly report stated that as the law stood at present he understood all amounts awarded by the Supreme Court, even although specially and specifically awarded for hospital expenses, must be paid by the Court to plaintiff’s solicitors, who in turn had no power to withhold payment from plaintiff. As it was at present the board had no other, remedy. . A short clause in the “Washing-up” Bill authorising the registrar in such cases to pay only to the hospital board, or 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.