§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many hospitals imposed the charges for emergency treatment after road accidents, as laid down in sections 157 and 158 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 in each year since 1988; and what are the average charges;
(2) when (a) Guy's and (b) Lewisham hospitals introduced the charges for emergency treatment after road accidents, as laid down in sections 157 and 158 of the Road Traffic Act 1988; and what are the average charges for (a) Guy's and (b) Lewisham hospitals in each year since their introduction.
§ Mr. DorrellAll health authorities and NHS trusts may collect an emergency treatment fee, at a flat rate of £19.30, for immediate medical attention required following a road traffic accident and they may also collect charges for any subsequent in or out-patient treatment, up to ceilings of £2,667 and £267 respectively. Provision for these charges was made in the Road Traffic Acts 1930, 1933 and 1934 and has been carried forward in later legislation by successive Governments. Motorists are legally required to insure against these charges and those for subsequent in and out-patient treatment are collected direct from insurance companies.