HARD TO COLLECT FEES

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 285, 22 February 1928, Page 16

HARD TO COLLECT FEES

HOSPITAL ACCOUNTS MANY DEBTS NOT PAID Out of 55 people asked to appear before the fees committee of the Hospital Board, only six called in person to explain their non-payment of treatment fees, says a report presented to the board at its meeting yesterday. A few others sent in explanatory letters and two paid their accounts in full. The remainder, some of whom are very well able to meet their indebtedness, will be faced with legal proceedings. Now and then a letter of appreciation is- received from some grateful ex-patient. These letters, says the report, help to lighten the burden of collection. Commenting on the report the chairman, Mr. W. Wallace, said that while due allowance was made in cases of genuine hardship it was felt that a large number of persons well able to pay something toward the expense of treatment were evading their just obligations. Though the board disliked taking legal action it was the only course for the protection of the board from ex-patients who practise deliberate evasion. SOME INTERESTING FIGURES The fees collector reported that during the last four months £372, representing 277 payments, had been collected. Fees owing by in-patients and out-patients had been reduced by £7,000. Accounts representing £20,809 were written off, making a total of £27,809. The following shows the extent of the movement of the board’s due fees from all patients during the three years to February 14, 1928:—Twelve months to March 31, 1926: Reduced, £17,099; written off, £39,173; total, £56.272. Twelve months to March 31, 1927: £15,469; £32,625; £480,94. Eleven months to February 14, 1925: £15,351; £38,145; £53,496.