HOSPITAL FINANCE

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 9, 11 January 1929, Page 3

HOSPITAL FINANCE

COSTS EXCEED ESTIMATE PALMERSTOiN" NORTH POSITION" i . ■ (By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post."> PALMERSTON N., This Day. December was a, satisfactory month' as regards patients' fees at the Hospital, £796 being received. The numbers in. the Hospital did not drop at Christinas this year as they have usa*)iy. done iv the past. At present there are 183 in hospital, and it appears that the numbers are again slowly ingSpeaking at the Hospital Board meeting yesterday, the chairman (Sir J. G. Wilson) pointed out that the amount collected was a few pounds over the estimate. There was a big discrepancy, however, in the actual maintenance expenditure and the estimate. The increase in the cost of running the institution was due almost solely to the large increase in the number of patients. At Christinas, 1927, there had been 118 patients, while for Christmas, 1925, there were uo less than 168 in hospital —an increase of 50. It seemed that ia framing next year's estimates, a- basis of 200 patients would have to be adopted. "We are now £3000 over expended," commented the chairman, "but it lias been unavoidable. The accounts have been carefully scrutinised." The board was also £700 to 'the bad for the past nine mouths in the matter of charitable aid, he said, and at the end of the year was likely to be £500 over the estimate. The Mayor (Mr. A. J". Graham), Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P., and the general public bad taken a share of the burden of unemployed, but the Hospital Board bore the brunt. The Government had given the four citie* grants to meet unemployment, and ho thought Palmerston North might consider making an application for similar help. "Great care has been taken in the collection of accounts," concluded the chairman, "and much more than the public think." \

Mr. J. K. Hornblow mentioned that the Government grant to various centres for unemployment relief had beea £2000. Mr. G. A. Monk: "But they say; there is no more." Mr. Hornblow considered there would bo no harm in bringing the matter before. the Minister of Health during hii visit to Palmerston North next week. The. secretary could prepare a statement showing the cost of unemployment relief to the district, and if the board only got back its proportion, it would be acceptable. There had been a great deal of unemployment in the district, and if the Government would not help, the board had no alternative but to pass the cost on to the ratepayers. Mr. Monk did not agree . with Mr. Hornblow. 'The proper peopio to apply to the Government were the municipal authorities, and not a hospital board. The £2000 granted the four centres was for relief of unemployment by employing the workers. The men had to work for their money. However, the Minister should be advised of the seriousness of the cost of charitable aid in the district.

Mr. Hornblow stated in reply that, while the responsibility might rest with the municipalities and cities, the laic Prime Minister had made it clear that the- unemployed should make applications for relief to Charitable Aid Boards. The Minister is to be advised of the facts.