§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consult insurance companies on lifting the seven-day statutory period for claims for fees for emergency treatment by hospitals; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. CurrieUnder section 155 of the Road Traffic Act 1972, an emergency treatment fee is payable by the person using the vehicle in respect of each individual given emergency treatment immediately following a road traffic accident. The fee may be claimed by a doctor attending the scene of an accident or by a hospital, and section 156 of the Act requires that it be requested within seven days of the treatment being given.
The Government intend to introduce legislation to abolish the emergency treatment fee payable to hospitals at the earliest convenient opportunity.