HOSPITAL COSTS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 105, 6 May 1931, Page 7

HOSPITAL COSTS

ESTIMATES REDUCED

LOWER RATES LEVY

The "Wellington Hospital Board yesterday, in accordance with the.request of the Health Department, reduced the board's estimates from £144,023 to £129,789. ■ The new apportionment of levies on ! local contributing bodies, which repre-, sonts a reduction of 20 per cent., is : as follows:— I 1930-31. 1931-32. ■ £ s. (1. £ 3. (1. . Wellington City , . Council' .;.'... 01,537 19 4 51.259 9 1 Hutt County Council 4,050 8 0 3,30115 6 Mukara County Council ...... 1,567 9 9 1,281 19 5 Lower Hutt Bor. : Council .. 5,143 15 2 4.G7S 11 G Petone Borough . Council ...... 3,164 12 8 2,678 53 Eastbourne Bor. , Council • 873 0 11 714 3 7 Johnsonvlllo Tn. Board 350 7 5 306 G 2j " Upper Hutt Bor. ■ ' ■' ■ | Council •" 816 8 11 723 13 7; £77,503.2 2 £64,974 .4 1 The chairman (Mr. i l. Castle) said , the amount set down for social welfare had been reduced by £6000. If unemployment continued as at present, it would be difficult to get through the . year on. the amount set out in thees-| timates. If any emergency arose, it would liave to be met by emergency measures: — Mr. J. H. Helliwell said they ought to do everything they could to avoid the suggested reduction in'the estimates. They should insist on the maintenance of efficiency in regard to the care* of the patients, the quality' of the food, and its service, and the high standard of the medical and nursing staff. In the interests of the efficiency of the hospital this was necessary. What he was afraid of was that if they acquiesced in the suggested reduction of something over £8000, apart from the Social" "Welfare Department, they would be taking a wrong course; If theji agreed to the proposed reduction ml expenditure, it would mean that they woulds probably be agreeing to more suffering on the part of the sick. He did not think the board ought to agree to cut down their hospital expenditure—no, not by a penny. If they were to acquiesce in the request of the Department, it would be far better to cut out the whole- of the difference in the Social "Welfare Department vote-r-about £14,000. He knew that the Government was desperately afraid that unless they cam© substantially to the help of the destitute people in the community there would be trouble. They were trying to do that, as far as they possibly could, by as- ; sociating relief works with, the Social "Welfare Committee and similar organisations throughout the Dominion. The,postion in regard to social welfare expenditure was now generally understood. To\ a deputation to the Government last week, the Minister of Health said he was afraid that the proVision being made for the relief of the ' destitute would not be sufficient, and the Government would have* to assist. the1 fund. Mr. Helliwell said ho tEought the board ought to throw the responsibility of the unemployed on the Government. It was a national question. STRONG PROTESTS. Mrs. P-. Eraser said if the board agreed to the suggested reduction of hospital maintenance expenditure, they would be accused of extravagance in past years. Mrs. Fraser thought the board should adhere to their. former estimates. - . ' Mr. I". Bennett: ''What sum. can we expend '.without the sanction of the Health Department1?" ",.■ '..':■'■'' \ The Chairman: " £250 for capital expenditure. This is for maintenance.-" ■.'■■'•. • . ■ ' ■ 1., Mr.-Bennett: "Has'there ever been an audit tag to our expenditure?" iThe Chairman: "I do'not remember any." ,-*■■■. •■ ■.. ■■•• -:■■■;■■_" ■' '•■ Preston said that recently there had been forced upon the board the responsibility^ of increased expenditure for unemployment and also in connection with" maternity cases. In addition, a reduction had been, made in the general hospital vote. While she agreed" that they should, if possible, carry on within their estimates, yet she could not see how it was possible to do their work within the vote sug- ' ges,ted." It was not suggested by the Government that the unemployment responsibility should be taken from, the board. If tho boards had to economise in a way that would be against the interests of the hospital patients, at would be a scandal.- Mrs. Preston moved that the further consideration of the be deferred until the aew board was appointed. Mr. Helliwell: "Can we do that?" The chairman said he'agreed with ■what had been caid as to doing nothing that would "impair the efficiency of the hospital in tho interests of the patients. The Government, however, .had passed legislation providing for a 10 per. cent, reduction in expenditure. That meant practically a reduction of the levy and the subsidy. - He was anxious to get the estimates approved, ■ because the board was now carrying on , -with, an overdraft of £15,000. ' Until the board passed the estimates the local Bodies .would; not pay their levy. It : was necessary that the estimates should .be-passed without, delay. A reduction jof • the-estimates had been forced.upon the? board. A protest had already been made by the board.. He thought that a further protest should be made to the Government/ and to the local contributing "bodies. He suggested that Mr. liuke and himself should draw up a strong protest to the Government, also .an explanatory protest to the contributing bodies. The social,welfare vote had been reduced to an •jarnbunt that would probably be insufficient to meet the expenditure, and the 'anticipated receipts had been increased "by. £3700. If that sum was not realised, the board would be so much to tho • bad. : He again urged that the amended estimates be passed, and that -A* aew bpard take whatever steps it deem-1-•d. desirable.. ' Mr. CM. Luke seconded the motion. Mr. T. H. Gill, said it had been suggested that they should live within the reduced revenue, but also that in the interests of the patients and wellbeing of the community that the hospital should be maintained at an efficient standard. ' Mrs. P.* Fraser was of opinion that tho board should wait on the Prime - Minister and Minister of Health and place the position before them. It should be represented to the Government that the unemployed question was a national one. The public should be informed as to tho actual position. The chairman understood that the subject was being taken up by tho "Hospital Boards' Association. It was well, however, that tho board should draw up its own protest. The amended estimates and levies were then adopted.