St John Ambulance part charges?

[swbarnett]

Can anyone tell me if the St. John Ambulkance part charges are legally enforceable?

We've just received a bill from them that was a total surprise. Don't get me wrong, I'd be only too happy to give St. john some money if the letter had been a plea for help but a bill after an emergency call out is just plain extortion.

[ducatilover]

No idea but I have been billed for rides in ambulances by them

[5150]

Yes, I have been billed in the past for emergency callouts. If you think you might be using their services more often you can become a St. J member and pay a yearly membership fee and your callouts are free.

[cynna]

Can anyone tell me if the St. John Ambulkance part charges are legally enforceable?

We've just received a bill from them that was a total surprise. Don't get me wrong, I'd be only too happy to give St. john some money if the letter had been a plea for help but a bill after an emergency call out is just plain extortion.

user pays - why should we pay for you?

[Akzle]

just as a matter of interest, what would you pay not to die? and/or, did you not realise it's a user pays service, and/or, if you did know that, would you have declined the service?

[mashman]

Ahhhh the charitable industrial complex at work. Good luck.

[Drew]

If ACC aren't picking up the bill for the treatment, you're liable for the service personally.

It's only about $50 though isn't it? Mind, was a fucken long time ago I had experience with this situation.

[R650R]

What planet did you just arrive from, you say this like its news...

Funeral costs, now THATS extortion, an ambulance fee isn't even a deposit in comparison. Staying alive is very cheap, dying is where it gets expensive.
And after a funeral just wait for the vulture fees lawyers charge to discharge various bank contracts even when all the shit is freehold, you might need another ambulance the day you see those fees on top of the stress of losing someone.
Ambo fee still less than a tank of gas for average sportsbike followed by a beer and gourmet burger...

[Virago]

An ambulance service is not a tax-payer funded public health service. St John relies on donations, subscriptions, and part-charges to keep operating.

To keep their costs down a large proportion of their operational staff are unpaid volunteers. Count yourself lucky.

Put aside your erroneous sense of entitlement and pay the fucking thing.

As mentioned, subscription is good value, around $60 a year for a household (from memory).

[Tazz]

Almost $500 to attend and over $1000 if you hitch a ride in an ambo in Victoria, and that is just 'metro' areas. 99% sure it's less than that over here, unless it had rotors instead of wheels then I've heard murmurs of up to 7k?

Join up after you've 'coughed' up ;)

Friend was in a car crash in Melb and just got a lift with a mate because she didn't have ambo insurance and wouldn't have enough money for both that and the medical bills :no: (she was considered a foreigner which meant a 2k bill. I see it is $800 for foreigners here).

[Grumph]

Yes, I have been billed in the past for emergency callouts. If you think you might be using their services more often you can become a St. J member and pay a yearly membership fee and your callouts are free.

Free in some areas, yes. I really must join up out here. In hospital 3 times so far this year. 1st time from GP surgery to A&E, $50 thank you, sir...for a ride of about 5km. Next 2 times,from home to town by car. Priced it with StJohn later - $350 per trip for non member, I think it's about $70 for a member - that's about a $ per Km. I confidently expect to die driving myself to town (slowly) after a heart attack.

[Tazz]

I confidently expect to die driving myself to town (slowly) after a heart attack.

Jesus? Really? In the states and the like you'd probably have a min charge of $500 for your $50 trip.

Do you also realize how much those ambos cost, nevermind the training of the crew? How much do you think they're paying in insurance alone for your ride? Nevermind their time (which seems to be of no value to you) and wear on equipment. And then there are the consumables they stock it with, they have expiry dates or are used on our sorry asses.

Would you rather some knuckle dragger came and tossed you in the boot of their car for the ride to the hospo?
Or how about putting the cost of running services like this in your rates so they, and rents, can go up?

[Robbo]

Join up and become a member. St Johns do an amazing and often unrewarding job. As a motorcyclist you have a high chance of needing their services one day. If not then you have made a very worthy donation to a great and necessary organisation.

[Woodman]

Its only money, but if you do really feel aggrieved then take them to the small claims court.:facepalm:

[trapster66]

As St John is publicly funded, meaning they get absolutely nothing from the government, and relies solely on donations from the public it serves, they charge a set rate for medical emergencies (varies between regions) $80-$100 is the norm regardless of how far you live from hospital or treatments provided enroute, if its an accident ACC picks up all charges, if you want a ride(non emergency) to hospital for an appointment(private hire) then you will get charged accordingly,
If you think the family may utilize services regularly for medical conditions then the membership is the way to go, $58/ year or thereabouts, unlimited emergency calls( this fee doesn't cover private hire)

Hope this helps...

[Grubber]

Yes, I have been billed in the past for emergency callouts. If you think you might be using their services more often you can become a St. J member and pay a yearly membership fee and your callouts are free.

Im the same. Was billed and then they offered a membership at $40 I think it was. Money well spent with a couple of asthmatics in the family. No more callout fees. I got no problem paying for good help like that and I have a problem with people who argue about it to be fair. Were would we be without them

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Tapatalk

[Grubber]

just as a matter of interest, what would you pay not to die? and/or, did you not realise it's a user pays service, and/or, if you did know that, would you have declined the service?

Wow....thats actually quite sencible for you. Giod onya Akzle.:thumbup:

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Tapatalk

[nzspokes]

Can anyone tell me if the St. John Ambulkance part charges are legally enforceable?

We've just received a bill from them that was a total surprise. Don't get me wrong, I'd be only too happy to give St. john some money if the letter had been a plea for help but a bill after an emergency call out is just plain extortion.

Its normally about $50. Just pay the bloody bill and be happy they are so good at what they do.

[swbarnett]

user pays - why should we pay for you?
You ignoramus!

An ambulance service is a public good. We all benifit from it's existance. I'm all for user pays - just define the user correctly. In this case the user is society as a whole. In the same way that a person that never leaves the house is still a user ofthe roads because they use goods and services that cannot be provided without them.

My objection to this charge is not because I can't afford it - I can. My objection is that, as a public good, the WHOLE of the public should foot the cost (preferably pro-rata on income). Also, imagine the marginalisation of those that genuinely have difficulty coming up with the money.

To move sideways for a moment and illustrate my point by way of a related example: Under your argumant ACC would be removed completely and the full cost of any treatment and rehabilitation would be born by the injured party. The inevitable result of this is a serious increase in the banrupcy rate. This is something I am definitely willing to contribute to preventing - whether I ever claim from ACC or not.

[swbarnett]

It would depend on the reason for the call out if I was billed. If the accident was called by another party no way and they can chase the other party to pay my bill. Even if it is something where no other party is involved the high cost of registration which is mostly ACC does not give much motivation to pay.
You need to read the OP again. I mentioned the word "ailment". No accident involved.

[cs363]

$50 thank you, sir...for a ride of about 5km.

So, not that much more than a taxi then..... :whistle:

[swbarnett]

just as a matter of interest, what would you pay not to die?
Irrelevant. I don't have a problem with the amount. Just the extortion by what is a public service.


and/or, did you not realise it's a user pays service,
I had no idea. This is the first time I have ever called for an ambulance.


and/or, if you did know that, would you have declined the service?
Of course not. However, what concerns me most is there may be some people that will delay calling an ambulance because of it (this alreay happens with GPs). And we are all the worse off for it.

[cynna]

You ignoramus!

An ambulance service is a public good. We all benifit from it's existance. I'm all for user pays - just define the user correctly. In this case the user is society as a whole. In the same way that a person that never leaves the house is still a user ofthe roads because they use goods and services that cannot be provided without them.

My objection to this charge is not because I can't afford it - I can. My objection is that, as a public good, the WHOLE of the public should foot the cost (preferably pro-rata on income). Also, imagine the marginalisation of those that genuinely have difficulty coming up with the money.

To move sideways for a moment and illustrate my point by way of a related example: Under your argumant ACC would be removed completely and the full cost of any treatment and rehabilitation would be born by the injured party. The inevitable result of this is a serious increase in the banrupcy rate. This is something I am definitely willing to contribute to preventing - whether I ever claim from ACC or not.


ooooooh im an ignoramus then your a dumb cunt. you arent even paying the full cost of the service so next time just crawl to the hospital

and yes since i have to pay acc for work, 3 bikes and a car i would rather acc be removed and pay for private health insurance

[Drew]

Of course not. However, what concerns me most is there may be some people that will delay calling an ambulance because of it (this alreay happens with GPs). And we are all the worse off for it.

You can owe them millions, they will always come pick you up. Drivers and individual stations have no idea about the status of bills.

[Akzle]

Irrelevant. I don't have a problem with the amount. Just the extortion by what is a public service.


I had no idea. This is the first time I have ever called for an ambulance.


Of course not. However, what concerns me most is there may be some people that will delay calling an ambulance because of it (this alreay happens with GPs). And we are all the worse off for it.

theres nothing public about it. St John are a private charity organisation.

The crown POLICy Enforcement is the only 111 'service' fully paid for by 'the people'
safer communities together. And shit.

[swbarnett]

FFS: Will you lot please get down of your collective high horse.

All I'm saying is that I expect to pay for an ambulance service, just not on a visit by visit basis (or a subscription). This sort of thing should be completely tax payer funded as it's something that strongly benifits the whole of society - not just those being rescued.

This and other shit like it are major contributors to the widening of the poverty gap.


I will say it again for those that don't seem to be listening - MY PROBLEM IS NOT THE MONEY. My problem is that an ambulance service is seen as a service only to those that are attended. In truth it is a service to EVERYBODY, whether you're attended or not.

[swbarnett]

As St John is publicly funded, meaning they get absolutely nothing from the government,
This from the St. John part-charge brocure:


Contractswith the Ministry of Health, ACC and District Health Boards (DHBs) fund just under 80% of our Ambulance Service direct operating costs.

[Madness]

Start a petition.

[swbarnett]

ooooooh im an ignoramus then your a dumb cunt.
My apologies if I was a bit blunt. I only called you an ignoramus beacause you, like many, seem to have completely missed the concept of a public good and how that pertains to the concept of "uesr" pays (I like user pays if the user is correctly defined).

[swbarnett]

You can owe them millions, they will always come pick you up. Drivers and individual stations have no idea about the status of bills.
Agreed.

But that's not the point. I don't owe them anything (well, not money anyway) even though they think I do. I would quite happily have given them a donation (even though the paramedic was wearing his prejudices on his sleeve), just object to being extorted.

[swbarnett]

theres nothing public about it.
It is a "public good" in that everyone benifits whether you use it or not and it is non-profit.

[mashman]

It is a "public good" in that everyone benifits whether you use it or not and it is non-profit.

You need a functioning society first ;).

[Madness]

It is a "public good" in that everyone benifits whether you use it or not and it is non-profit.

Just like titty bars, except they make a profit.

[Drew]

Agreed.

But that's not the point. I don't owe them anything (well, not money anyway) even though they think I do. I would quite happily have given them a donation (even though the paramedic was wearing his prejudices on his sleeve), just object to being extorted.

Without some idea of why you or whoever was in the ambulance, I struggle to understand your viewpoint.

[Akzle]

It is a "public good" in that everyone benifits whether you use it or not and it is non-profit.

dunno man. You used it, then came on here to moan about it. Benefit to me =nil.
Also i hold the belief that not everyone should be saved

[nodrog]

choice, I'll catch one to the pub next to the hospital if they are free, ill just fake a heart attack that will disappear when I get there.

Or I can catch one to the pharmacy when I have period pain, or the man flu.

Do you have to pay if you have fallen from a high horse?

[Tazz]

Agreed.

But that's not the point. I don't owe them anything (well, not money anyway) even though they think I do. I would quite happily have given them a donation (even though the paramedic was wearing his prejudices on his sleeve), just object to being extorted.

How much is the bill?


dunno man. You used it, then came on here to moan about it. Benefit to me =nil.
Also i hold the belief that not everyone should be saved

Damn straight. As well as that if less people were saved the population would more than likely benefit far more than if they were saved :lol:

[RJC]

just object to being extorted.

it's hardly extortion.

It's not like they had the meter running and wanted the bill paid in cash 500m from the hospital.

[Swoop]

Or I can catch one to the pharmacy ...
Why?
They are travelling pharmacies!

[nodrog]

Why?
They are travelling pharmacies!

true that negro!

Do you reckon they will stop for drive through at KFC?

[Grumph]

Jesus? Really? In the states and the like you'd probably have a min charge of $500 for your $50 trip.

Do you also realize how much those ambos cost, nevermind the training of the crew? How much do you think they're paying in insurance alone for your ride? Nevermind their time (which seems to be of no value to you) and wear on equipment. And then there are the consumables they stock it with, they have expiry dates or are used on our sorry asses.

Would you rather some knuckle dragger came and tossed you in the boot of their car for the ride to the hospo?
Or how about putting the cost of running services like this in your rates so they, and rents, can go up?

I'm well aware thank you of the service costs. I just can't afford it....My option to take I think. And the knuckle dragger bit made me laugh - that's why I won't let our local fire brigade attempt emergency treatment on me, they have a defibrillator, and they're dangerous...

[Madness]

true that negro!

Do you reckon they will stop for drive through at KFC?

I heard they'll only do Maccas and you have to order at least one salad.

[skippa1]

Can anyone tell me if the St. John Ambulkance part charges are legally enforceable?

We've just received a bill from them that was a total surprise. Don't get me wrong, I'd be only too happy to give St. john some money if the letter had been a plea for help but a bill after an emergency call out is just plain extortion.
Don't wanna pay for the service don't use it? Pay up tight arse

[nodrog]

I heard they'll only do Maccas and you have to order at least one salad.

racist cunts!

[Madness]

racist cunts!

Tis all good - KFC is Halal Certified shit.

[nodrog]

Tis all good - KFC is Halal Certified shit.

Derker Derker

[skippa1]

FFS: Will you lot please get down of your collective high horse.

All I'm saying is that I expect to pay for an ambulance service, just not on a visit by visit basis (or a subscription). This sort of thing should be completely tax payer funded as it's something that strongly benifits the whole of society - not just those being rescued.

This and other shit like it are major contributors to the widening of the poverty gap.


I will say it again for those that don't seem to be listening - MY PROBLEM IS NOT THE MONEY. My problem is that an ambulance service is seen as a service only to those that are attended. In truth it is a service to EVERYBODY, whether you're attended or not.
You better hope you don't need coastguard either then, or the volunteer fire brigade most of us rely on.....

[Drew]

I'm well aware thank you of the service costs. I just can't afford it....My option to take I think. And the knuckle dragger bit made me laugh - that's why I won't let our local fire brigade attempt emergency treatment on me, they have a defibrillator, and they're dangerous...
Those defib machines are automatic. Won't shock ya if there's the slightest rhythm there.

[Virago]

Agreed.

But that's not the point. I don't owe them anything (well, not money anyway) even though they think I do. I would quite happily have given them a donation (even though the paramedic was wearing his prejudices on his sleeve), just object to being extorted.

Do you object to paying your GP too? After all, they provide a taxpayer-subsidised "public good" service - exactly like St John.

[Akzle]

Those defib machines are automatic. Won't shock ya if there's the slightest rhythm there.

heheheh.
Just jump them off the 24v truck...

[BMWST?]

extotion would be asking for a payment before offering you a lift.Pay them

[swbarnett]

You need a functioning society first ;).
Public goods are one of the pillars of a functioning society. They come both first and second (a bit like the chicked and egg conundrum).

[swbarnett]

Without some idea of why you or whoever was in the ambulance, I struggle to understand your viewpoint.
I don't see why the reason for the trip should make any difference? This was not relevant to ACC if that's what you mean.

My problem is that we're given no choice but to pay. If they had sent a letter asking us to cover some of the cost I would gladly oblige. The way it has been done has left me with a sour taste.

As a matter of principle I would just like to know what the concequences are to ignoring the bill. I may well send them the money anyway, just in the form of a donation, not a responce to a demand.

[swbarnett]

Benefit to me =nil.
Bullshit. Benifit to you is that one more member of the society in which you live (like it or not) is now healthy. A healthy population is of benifit to all.

[nzspokes]

The way it has been done has left me with a sour taste.



Easy fix then, next time hire a taxi.

[swbarnett]

How much is the bill?
$88. But that's not really relevant. It could be $1 and I'd still feel the same.

[swbarnett]

Don't wanna pay for the service don't use it? Pay up tight arse
You need to read the whole story before you comment. I don't mind paying, it's the demand to do so I object to.

[swbarnett]

You better hope you don't need coastguard either then, or the volunteer fire brigade most of us rely on.....
It wouldn't surprise me in the least if those services are just as under valued.

If we as a society want these services to exist the why the hell are we so reluctant to fund them from the tax take?

[swbarnett]

Do you object to paying your GP too? After all, they provide a taxpayer-subsidised "public good" service - exactly like St John.
Finally, the first reasonable argument in this whole thread.

I actually think you have a point. You're right in that I pay the GP without question. Something I grew up with and never questioned. Whereas I grew up with a "free" ambulance service.

I still think that the ambulance service should be completely tax funded. This goes for GPs as well. That way you won't get people leaving a GP visit too late because it they go they don't eat.

[Katman]

I confidently expect to die driving myself to town (slowly) after a heart attack.

While couriering in London many years ago I suffered my first ever experience of heart burn. I seriously thought I was actually having a heart attack.

Fucked if I was stopping though - I had packages to deliver.

I made the concession of moving over into the slow lane though.

True story.

[Erelyes]

I don't mind paying, it's the demand to do so I object to.

Demand?

Fuck me running. What if everyone providing a service sent out a bill that just said "Pay if you want to, no big deal".

Refusing to pay a bill after the fact, just to prove a point, is pretty high on the 'being a cunt' scale.

Go and pay the bill and stop being an asshole. If you still feel so righteous after paying it, whinge to your MP about it and see how much they care :yes:

[haydes55]

Finally, the first reasonable argument in this whole thread.



I actually think you have a point. You're right in that I pay the GP without question. Something I grew up with and never questioned. Whereas I grew up with a "free" ambulance service.



I still think that the ambulance service should be completely tax funded. This goes for GPs as well. That way you won't get people leaving a GP visit too late because it they go they don't eat.


I think GPs need to charge based on severity of the case. Every time I've been to a GP or the ER, I'd say at least half of the people in there just need to walk it off, take a Panadol and get back to work. I've been three times in the past four or so years for myself, and only one was a medical issue, and the doctor got it wrong anyway so I treated myself thanks to google and a courier.

I've seen people in ER with not much more than a runny nose, some kids in there for grazes and cuts. Nurses should tell people to go home and stop wasting their time.

As for ambo. Seems fair to me, I have personal injury insurance which covers these costs. My bet is they word the letter that way because it brings in more income. You used the service, you pay for it. The speedway pays thousands every year to have an ambo present. We don't expect the public to foot the bill so we can have some fun. Those who can't afford the bill will be on community services cards and exempt from the fees.

[bogan]

As the voice of dissent, I understand where you're coming from, you don't expect a bill for that shit and unexpected bills are dumb. But, use the voice of reason too, if firefighters charge, why not ambos? and why would it ever be a bill you would mind paying in the first place. But the most reasonable thought of all, don't object to their billing by not giving them money because the service is essential; object to their billing by giving them so much there is no need to bill in future.


While couriering in London many years ago I suffered my first ever experience of heart burn. I seriously thought I was actually having a heart attack.

Fucked if I was stopping though - I had packages to deliver.

I made the concession of moving over into the slow lane though.

True story.

Fucking pussy, costochondritis, now there is a heart-attack like pain; I remember it plain as day cos I was halfway through a beef-pattie, bacon, chicken mcnugget, cheese and egg burger...

[swbarnett]

Demand?

Fuck me running. What if everyone providing a service sent out a bill that just said "Pay if you want to, no big deal".
Forgive me if I'm a bit behind the times as I've never called an ambulance before but I thought they were a registered charity? Last thing I heard charities didn't send bills for services rendered. That's what businesses do.


whinge to your MP about it and see how much they care :yes:
Things would change pretty if Mrs Key died because an ambulance didn't turn up.

[swbarnett]

if firefighters charge,
Yet another organisation that has no business needing to charge due to under funding (except for false alarms).


and why would it ever be a bill you would mind paying in the first place.
I can pay, and will (especially after GPs were mentioned - this certainly put it into perspective). Perhaps I'm becoming a bit socialist in my old age but I believe that this sort of service should be free for all in an inclusive society.


But the most reasonable thought of all, don't object to their billing by not giving them money because the service is essential; object to their billing by giving them so much there is no need to bill in future.
If only I could. There'd be a number of organisations that would never want for funding again.

[Berries]

if firefighters charge, why not ambos?
FFS. So my house burns down and the day I put the letter box back up I get a bill from Fireman Sam for not putting out the fire? This country is fucked. If I then go and disturb the peace at the fire station after receiving said bill and get arrested do those fuckers send me a bill as well?

Next some bastard is going to want to charge me for the electric.

[Big Dog]

You ignoramus!

An ambulance service is a public good. We all benifit from it's existance. I'm all for user pays - just define the user correctly. In this case the user is society as a whole. In the same way that a person that never leaves the house is still a user ofthe roads because they use goods and services that cannot be provided without them.

My objection to this charge is not because I can't afford it - I can. My objection is that, as a public good, the WHOLE of the public should foot the cost (preferably pro-rata on income). Also, imagine the marginalisation of those that genuinely have difficulty coming up with the money.

To move sideways for a moment and illustrate my point by way of a related example: Under your argumant ACC would be removed completely and the full cost of any treatment and rehabilitation would be born by the injured party. The inevitable result of this is a serious increase in the banrupcy rate. This is something I am definitely willing to contribute to preventing - whether I ever claim from ACC or not.
On my last non acc ride with them I was told that I could register much the same as the others so that's not news. What possibly is is they have a form you can fill out to object to paying.
Possible grounds to object were:
Can't afford it - fill in a statement of finances.
Object to paying for a service the govt should provide - your details are passed on to the local health board as an objector. Some health boards pay.
Ineffective or substandard service received- you make a declaration that you don't feel you received value for money and why. This may or may not be investigated.

The ambo told me unlikely to go to bay corp unless you have a history with them of not paying.

I was pretty close to homeless and by all definitions except that I had not filed for it bankrupt, after some poor life choices with women and bikes. Taking a long hard look at what I got for the money I paid. I rang up as soon as the invoice arrived ( I knew it was coming because the ambo told me to expect it) and delayed due date for about six weeks and sent them about what I was spending on 3 weeks of food at the time. ($75)
They were reasonable. It is incredible what they get done of of donations and what they can bill acc for.

If I recall correct they have always refused public funding because of the implications of being funded and their other obligations to the order.

Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[skippa1]

You need to read the whole story before you comment. I don't mind paying, it's the demand to do so I object to.
But you do mind paying, otherwise there wouldn't be a thread...........the demand has been there for years. If you came from a small rural coastal environment you would realise that not only is payment requested to keep the service alive, but the people that man these services do it for no pay.....ambos, firemen, coastguard.....
they re plumbers, electricians, own a hardware store.....it's been that way for many many years

[Akzle]

Bullshit. Benifit to you is that one more member of the society in which you live (like it or not) is now healthy. A healthy population is of benifit to all.

yeah except i dont and it isnt.

Theres nothing profitable about healthy people.

[R650R]

I think GPs need to charge based on severity of the case. Every time I've been to a GP or the ER, I'd say at least half of the people in there just need to walk it off, take a Panadol and get back to work. I've been three times in the past four or so years for myself, and only one was a medical issue, and the doctor got it wrong anyway so I treated myself thanks to google and a courier.

I've seen people in ER with not much more than a runny nose, some kids in there for grazes and cuts. Nurses should tell people to go home and stop wasting their time.


Agree 100%. Recent trip to mountain bike park, lost it at exist of first fast down hill, nicely grazed arm (and I actually bled well for a change) and some hefty bruises. Lot of people would have gone home but had only done 6 of my intended 25km ride. Carried on riding for another two hours and let it bleed out to naturally clean the wound etc.
Everyone's like ohhhh you need a tetnus injection, put some Dettol on it etc etc.... When home three hours later, gave it good scrub in shower, swabbed it with some silver, kept it dry and uncovered. Scabbed up nicely, fully healed about week to week and half later, no infection.

[RJC]

really, charities don't charge?

Try that arguement with the police after walking out of the supermarket with a box of wheetbix and a jar of marmite. Sanitarium is a charity, makes millions, and still sends you a bill.

I still don't really understand your argument, you object to being sent a bill for a service you "think" should be free. We'd all have to pay a shit load more tax for that, and you are probably busy getting cash jobs done on your rental properties.

[mashman]

Public goods are one of the pillars of a functioning society. They come both first and second (a bit like the chicked and egg conundrum).

I completely agree... except that every good is public (even when stolen by those who claim it for themselves). You mean joint first right ;).

[jasonu]

It's only about $50 though isn't it? Mind, was a fucken long time ago I had experience with this situation.

It is more like $175 for a call out. I know that from very recent personal experience. Also, their billing department are very prone to making errors in their favor so be sure to question anything that doesn't look correct.

[jasonu]

Jesus? Really? In the states and the like you'd probably have a min charge of $500 for your $50 trip.
?

A few years ago I paid $1200 for a 12 mile ambulance ride. If you need a helicopter ambulance ride the cost will be more than 10k if you don't have insurance.

[oldrider]

On TV programs about prostitution one thing is common ... "money up front" ... apparently there is not so much interest in settling the bill after the event! :oi-grr:

[Grumph]

[QUOTE=haydes55;

As for ambo. Seems fair to me, I have personal injury insurance which covers these costs. My bet is they word the letter that way because it brings in more income. You used the service, you pay for it. The speedway pays thousands every year to have an ambo present. We don't expect the public to foot the bill so we can have some fun. Those who can't afford the bill will be on community services cards and exempt from the fees.[/QUOTE]

i'd argue that if you're charging admission, the public are at least partially subsidising your fun....

Community services card makes no difference to the fee, it's still charged. They weren't interested in taking the pensioners gold card either...

Drew - I worded it wrongly, I wasn't inferring that defibrillators are inherently dangerous - but my local VFB certainly are....

[bogan]

Yet another organisation that has no business needing to charge due to under funding (except for false alarms).


I can pay, and will (especially after GPs were mentioned - this certainly put it into perspective). Perhaps I'm becoming a bit socialist in my old age but I believe that this sort of service should be free for all in an inclusive society.


If only I could. There'd be a number of organisations that would never want for funding again.

Firefighters I can understand, cos insurance pays them, bit of a kick in the bollox if you don't have any though...


FFS. So my house burns down and the day I put the letter box back up I get a bill from Fireman Sam for not putting out the fire? This country is fucked. If I then go and disturb the peace at the fire station after receiving said bill and get arrested do those fuckers send me a bill as well?

Next some bastard is going to want to charge me for the electric.

Yeh, performance pay scaling should be the go, you get to burn as much of the bill as the fire did to your house before the firemens made it too moist.

[Madness]

On TV programs about prostitution one thing is common ... "money up front" ... apparently there is not so much interest in settling the bill after the event! :oi-grr:

That was fundamentally what lead to Phil Rudd's recent issues as I understand it. That and being fried as an egg on P, of course.