INCREASE OF 46.7 PER CENT.

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 172, 18 April 1939, Page 10

INCREASE OF 46.7 PER CENT.

Estimated Hospital Expenditure CHAIRMAN PRESENTS SUMMARY The estimated expenditure of the Wellington Hospital Board for the year ending March 31, 1940, shows a net increase of 46.7 per cent, over the actual expenditure last year. Commenting on the estimates at a meeting of the board last night, the chairman, Mr. J. Glover, gave the following summary, showing estimated increases and decreases on the actual expenditure last year: —

The estimated increase in receipts is 9.8 per cent. It was interesting to note that the average of daily occupied beds for 1937-38 was 707, and for 1938-39, 804, an increase of 97, or 13.7 per cent., said Mr. Glover. The expenditure for Wellington Hospital exceeded the estimate for 193839 by 1.79 per cent. Loan Money. In preparing the estimates for 193839 provision was made for payment or interest on all the board s loans in anticipation of the loan moneys being uplifted. With the exception of the centenary loan the moneys for the remainder had not yet been procured, permission in the meantime having been obtained to borrow temporarily from the centenary loan. The actual expenditure for this item was £29.516 and, as an offset, the sum ot £14,17a was received as interest on fixed deThis year the estimated expenditure was £29,422. Against this amount it was estimated that £5700 would be i-e--ceived by way of interest on fixed de--1 “The estimates this year provide for a normal increase of 10 per cent, in the bed state, which means that a daily average of 884 may be expected, said Mr. Glover. - “From the accepted tenders for IJoJ40 it is evident that the price of commodities has increased and provision has been made for this factor. The replacement of a considerable portion of beds and bedding in both the nurses’ home and the wards had become imperative. The purchase of further supplies to accommodate the increased demands on the institution was also necessary. Provision had also been made for equipping the Island Bay orphanage, the emergency ward-, ami Pearce’s residence, Lower Hutt. Salaries and wages had increased considerably. . The proposed increases on the cst--mated and actual estimates for 1938-39

Social Welfare. The estimated expenditure for the social welfare department showed a decrease of £5045 on the estimated expenditure for the previous year and a decrease of £4716 on the actual expenditure, representing 41.4 per cent. am. 38.7 per cent, respectively. “It is anticipated that, with the bringing into force of the Social Security Act, a considerable saving will be possible in social welfare . because of the increased scope of pensions and the rates, thereof,” said Mr. Glover. "The only item under the social welfare department which shows an increase is the outdoor medical service.’ The estimates for Central Park hospital showed a gross increase of £720, compared with the estimated expenditure for the same period, last year. With the operation of social security it was anticipated that there would be a decline in the number of inmates in this home, but, as this was problematic, it was considered advisable to base the estimates on those of last year. The capital estimates by way of levy provided for £44,825, as against £37,118, an increase of 20.8 per cent., due to the big increase in'repayment of loans. This item had risen from £6014 to £21,535 because the first repayment of centenary loan, moneys fell during the current financial year. Receipts. 'The estimates. for 1938-39 provide! for the collection of £65,972. The actual receipts for 1938-39 amounted to £72,496, an excess of £6524, or 9.8 per cent. The totals for both estimated and actual ■ included being assets over liabilities,. so that the actual figures for collection were £55,260 and £61,784 respectively. This year it was proposed to estimate for £68,515, which represented increases ot 24.1 per cent, and 9.8 per cent, respectively. The principal increase was in inpatient fees. Last year it was estimated that £33,500 would be collected, whereas £35,570 was received. This year it was proposed to budget for £44,000, it being anticipated that a certain sum would be available from social security.

Increase. Decrease. % % Wellington Hospital 3S.-1 —■ Social welfare ..... — 38.7 Central Park Hospitai 7.8 Head office, etc 12.3 — Maintenance expen33.4 ■ Capital expenditure 60 —

were as follows: — percentage. Estimated. ... 27.8 Actual. 11.2 Surgery and dispensary 31.4 19.7 O() 1 Domestic ... 5 Establishment • ••■ ... 18.9 Salaries and wages . ... 59.9 54 ft Interest on loans ... ,,, *5.3 13 8 Miscellaneous ,.. 27.7 ♦Decrease.