ST. HELENS HOSPITAL

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 105, 30 October 1925, Page 10

ST. HELENS HOSPITAL

QUESTION OF CHANGE OF CONTROL

The Finance. Committee of the Wellington Hospital Board reported at a meeting yesterday:—"Be St. Helens Hospital, the Director-General of Health .wrote explaining that no further capital expenditure should be involved for some time, and that the maintenance cost to tho ratepayers should bo about £1500 per annum, a reply be sent stating that there is no immediate prospect of this board considering the proposal to takp over this institution from the Government."

Mr. P. Castlo agreed that the board could not give this matter immediate consideration. He thought, however, that attention should bo given to tho subject befofre the end of tho financial year, in order to determiuo whether the board should take over the St. Helens Hospital. If the board decided to build, it would mean an expenditure of £20,000 at least. Therefore the present proposal was not a bad bargain.

Mr. E. Vine thought it would be well to refer the question to a committee for further consideration.

Mr. A. J. M'Curdy moved as an amendment, "That this board will consider the proposal to take over the institution from tho Government when framing the estimates for 1920----27."

Mr. W. Apploton did not agree that tho board should take the institution over holus bolus. Thcro would be a loss of £5000 . per . annum—probably more. If tho board made an arrangements to take over the hospital they should also arranges for a subsidy from tho Government. '■ He thought the proposed change would bo good business from tho point of view of the Hospitals Department, and such a change would certainly have to be faced by the board. If the board did not use the present building, members \ would have to ffaee an additional monthly expenditure of £30,000 or £40,000, and they would have to faeo an annual loss of £5000 per annum. The amendment was adopted.