Hospital shoe repair costs likely to rise

Press, 19 September 1985, Page 7

Hospital shoe repair costs likely to rise

The cost of shoe repairs done by the orthotics department of the Canterbury Hospital Board is likely to increase dramatically in line with a board policy to tie the charges to 80 per cent of commercial rates. Members of the board’s finance committee meeting were told yesterday that the director of finance, Mr David Herman, recommended the increases and suggested charges should be reviewed each year. Mr Herman said the proposed high increases resulted from the board following a Government request not to break out of the price freeze too quickly. Since the price freeze, commercial charges had risen dramatically, and this was reflected in the new proposed rates. Men’s rubber, stick-on soles will now cost $12.50, compared with $3.50 previously charged, and $15.60 charged by commercial repairers. Toe and heel plates (when no other work is required) will rise from 50c to $3, and shanks will increase from 50c to $6.50. Most of the present charges will at least double

if the increases are implemented. The medical superintend-ent-in-chief, Dr Ross Fairgray, said the department had a huge backlog of work. If there was no price increase or an increase in staff the waiting time would continue to increase. .“I agree that we must increase our prices and I agree that we must increase them realistically but I want to know just how we reached the 80 per cent,” said Mrs June Gardiner.

She said she thought the private sector would have a mark-up of more than 20 per cent. Mr Herman said that it was not possible to cost the work of the orthotics department and so the actual cost of the work done could not be compared with commercial rates. The board’s chief executive, Mr Ron Parker, said the board had to accept that it had been heavily subsidising the department’s work for some time. The catch-up could be rather dramatic, he said.

Mr Herman said the new price recommendations were made on the basis that they would not be altered for 12 months.