THE PUBLIC HEALTH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 109, 8 May 1903, Page 2

THE PUBLIC HEALTH.

HOSPITAL BOARD EXPENDITURE.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES HOSPITAL.

CONFERENCE OF LOCAL BODIES

When the various local bodies received notification from the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board that for : the present year the levied would be nearly 50 per cent, advance upon last year's, several Councils and Road Boards wrote to the City Council suggesting that a conference of representatives of all contributing bodies be held to discuss the whole matter. At the last meeting of the City Council it was decided to acede to the request, and accordingly a conference was called for two o'clock this afternoon at the municipal offices. The questions set down for discussion were the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board's increased levy for the year 1903.4, and the Public levy for the year 1903-4, and the recent action of the Public Health Department with respect to the infectious diseases hospital. --.-'.:.;-■-■ There was a very large attendance of representatives of local bodies. The Mayor, Mr A. Kidd, explained the objects of the meeting as set forth in the circular. He expressed pleasure at seeing such a large and representative gathering in response to the invitation sent out by the Council. It had been his desire that the Hon. E. Mitchelson should have presided at that meeting, but unfortunately he could, not attend.

Mr E- W. Alison expressed pleasure at seeing representatives from the Hospital and Charitable. Aid Board present; He suggested that the Board Should 1 first explain why the increased levy was necessary.

The Mayor said the members of the Board present must decide whether they would do that. Mr Alison said it was only fair to have the reasons. He moved that the chairman of the Board be asked to tell the meeting why the increased levy was needed. Mr J. G. Garland, chairman of the board, said he had not attended to make a speech, but was quite willing to answer questions put through the chair. Mr Alison asked how it was that an increase of nearly 50 per cent, in contributions was required?

Mr Garland said the Public Health Act was largely responsible for the increase. Within the last eighteen months it had cost the board £3015 for treatment of infectious cases. The determined not to take bequest money to make up the deficiency upon maintenance, which should come from the local bodies. Those bequests could only be used for permanent structures. At the end of the year they found that they were £3000 behind, and they, made a levy to cover that deficit. Ten years ago the average attendance of patients at the hospital was 100, now it was 200. Ten years ago the cost was £8000, now it was £16,000. Therefore,. he contended that hospital expenditure had not increased excepting in proportion to the added number of patients. On - the estimates was also £1300 for a sterilisr ing plant, which the medical men said was absolutely required.

Mr Bagley asked from 1901 to this year had not in patients,., out patients and charitable aid expenditure doubled?

Mr Garland said they had not increased more than one-thrid.' Local bodies' valuations had increased, which made the levy look larger.

Mr Bagley said the expenditure must be wasteful if such an increase was necessary. ' " '.

- Mr W. R. Blomfield said they must treat the Board as more or less on its trial. They, could only get knowledge by asking questions. There were many noin+s that- required investigation. One was the tremendous outdoor relief, some 7GOO patients, and the half charge for friendly societies' members; and whether the full charge for patients was enough to cover expenditure upon patients. Another point was whether it was necessary to have a medical superintendent at a.large salary, instead of the forme? system.

Mr Alison' said there had. not been any increase in Devonport valuation for three years. Last year it was £281 contribution, and this year £422 was demanded.

Mr Garland said salaries had increased £935 "as compared with 1901. Of that £550 went to the senior medical officer; then additional nurses had to be engaged to deal with epidemics. The drugs and sundries expenditure had also increased in the same time by £774 7/11. That he thought was mainly due to the excess of out patients. Under his predecessor he believed too many out patients were treated. He had called attention to the fact that only discharged patients and others requiring first aid in case of accldent should be dealt with. The out-, door" attendance numbered 1 7500 last year.

Mi* Parr asked how many out-door patients had been attended at the "hospital?

Mr Garland said there were 7500 attendances, but some patients might go a doJien times. Those patients did not go into the hospital and ,pay fees. Mr Parr asked if that was recognised as the proper function of the-board.

Mr Gariand said discharged patients and* ophthalmic patients might attend at the hospital at the discretion of the medical officer. He considered those justifiable eases

Mr Parr said undoubtedly they but it was the other cases they wanted to get at —people who were sent to the hospital as outdoor patients, but never became in-patients, and ' therefore did not pay fees. .

Mr Garland said if a mediea'i man sent a patient up for outdoor treatment the hospital was bound to attend to the case, in his opinion.

Mr Bloomfield asked if a great number of people did not go to the hospital who could pay for treatment outside.

Mr Garland said he had been in the hospital himself, and was not ashamed to say so.

Mr Alison asked who was responsible for the increased outdoor attendances-— the board or the late chairman ?

Mr Garland said that was hardly a fair question. He suggested Mr Alison should ask Devonpbrt's representative ,on the board as to who was responsible.

Mr Alison said if the board was to blame the sooner it was got rid of the better. If it was the late chairman's; fault, let that gentieman take the blame*. He asked again, who was responsible? • : • The Mayor ruled that the question was scarcely a fair one. * t (Proceeding.)