ALARMING POSITION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 310, 11 October 1943, Page 2

ALARMING POSITION.

RUNNING COST OF HOSPITAL.

THE HALF-YEARLY STATEMENT.

Alarm at the increased cost, of running the Ashburton Public Hospital was expressed by the Hospital Board this morning. Relative figures were before the Board In the shape of the half-yearly financial statement of the secretary (Mr J. H- Chapman). Mr 0. A. Campion said that If costs continued to Increase as in the past there would aviso the question of how long it would bo before the Board was faced with a crisis. “I am afraid those increases are unavoidable,” said Mr W. Bryant, who presided. It would he well if the public were made aware of the position, said Mr Campion.

Mr W. G. Gallagher: “It is a good thing for our ratepayers to know the position and get an idea of what Is ahead of them.”

Mr Chapman’s report stated that in the estimate, allowance was made for the running of the neAV Avards for at least six months of the current financial year and as the Avards Avere not yet open expenditure could be expected to be rather lower than the estimate.

Although comparing favourably with the estimate, expenditure compared with previous years Avas high. For the Ashburton Hospital over the last four years there Avas a progressive increase from £9661 to £16,568. Expenditure Avas, however, still £2860 below the estimate. Malvern Hospital expenditure was £126 below the estimate, but Arawa Hospital exceeded the estimate by £ls.

Capital expenditure amounted to £31,064, of Avhich £28,146 was financed from the loan and building fund and the balance from ordinary funds. Debenture-holders Avere repaid £2600, there being only £6OO wanting to complete the year’s repayments.

Credit of Over £2OOO.

There Avas a credit balance of £2053 at the end of the half-year. There Avere several claims outstanding and had these been paid before the end of the period the credit balance Avould have been greater. Highest among the items of expenditure for the half year Avere the folloAving: Salaries and Avages, £7673; provisions, £2166; refund of subsidy, ' £1730; heat and light, £1372; interest, on loan, £1204. Total payments amounted to £54,591, against the estimate of £58,724. A satisfactory position also prevailed regarding receipts. Although they did not in all cases come up to the estimates this was mainly due to outstanding claims. Principal among the receipts were the follo\A Ting items: Loan, £27,800; Social Security benefits, £7191; maintenance levies, £7107; subsidies, £5978; Avar expenses account, £2069. Bed state estimates Avere exceeded at both the Malvern and the Arawa Maternity Hospitals.