AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

CANBERRA COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (CHARGES) REGULATIONS

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

No. 2 of 1961

	These amendments to the Canberra Community Hospital (Charges) Regulations:

(a)	increase the in-patient charges at the Canberra Community Hospital to £2.4.0 per day for an in-patient in general ward, £3.11.0 per day for an in-patient in an intermediate ward, and £4.15.0 per day for an in‑patient in a private ward, as from 1st February, 1961(1st October, 1961, for obstetric wards).  The existing charges, which have been operative since 1st March, 1959 (1st November, 1959, for obstetric wards) are £1.16.0, £2.14.0 and £3.12.0 respectively;

(b)	clarify the legislative authority for the current practice of charging in‑patients for radiological services;

(c)	provide for out-patients to be charged 5/- per prescription (or the Commonwealth dispensed price, if less than 5/-) for drugs and medicines supplied to them, unless actually administered at the Hospital, as from 1st February, 1961;

(d)	increase the charges in respect of in-patients who have an enforceable claim for the recovery of their hospital costs from another party by way of compensation or damages to a minimum of £3.3.0 per day for such an in-patient in a general ward, £3.11.0 per day for such an in-patient in an intermediate ward, and £4.15.0 per day for such an in-patient in a private ward, as from 1st February, 1961 (the existing minimum charges are £1.16.0, £2.14.0 and £3.12.0 respectively); and

(e)	increase the Canberra Ambulance charges as follows, from 1st February, 1961 –

(i)	from 12/6d. to £1.0.0 for the transport of a patient with the Canberra City District;

(ii)	from 12/6d. to £2.0.0 for the transport of a patient to or from rural areas of the A.C.T.;

(iii)	in cases where an ambulance is required to travel outside of the A.C.T., from 1/6d. per mile to 2/- per mile, with a minimum charge of £2.0.0.;

(iv)	to a higher sliding scale in respect of patients whose ambulance fees are recoverable under insurance or compensation; and

(v)	to a slightly increased rate for the provision of an ambulance at a sporting event or other public function.