HOSPITAL BOARD

Evening Star, Issue 17926, 23 March 1922, Page 9

HOSPITAL BOARD

The monthly meeting of tho Otago Hospital Board, held last evening, was attended by Mr W. E. S. Knight (chairman), Mesdames Macfio, Jackson, Macdonald, Messrs Quolch, Larnach, Talhoys, Dove, and Rodger, and Dr Ncwlarids, , HOSPITAL CHARGES R AISED.

Tho Director-General of Hcaltlp wrote stating tho department’s intention to raise the fees charged patients at its institutions, and urging every board to adopt tho same scale, and thus bring about a uniform scale approximating to some extent tho average cost of maintenance at the various hospitals in the Dominion. Tho charge recommended was 9s per day or £3 3s per week, with a reduction to half-rates in tho case of children under twelve years, of ago and members of friendly societies whoso foes were guaranteed by their lodge. Mrs Jackson expressed tho _ opinion that tho'present fees were quite high enough. Dr Newlands pointed out that the increased fees would not create any hardship so far as those who wero unablo to pay full ratp wore concerned, as remissions were always made in these casos. On the other hand, tboso who wore quite able to pay £3 3s per week would bo caught. It was pointed out, further, that tho clause concerning friendly societies did not affect Otago. Tho suggestions wero approved. A BEQUEST.

Mondy, Stephens, Monro, and Stephens wrote advising that tho late Miss Bessie F. Humo had bequeathed to tho hoard a seventh share in her residuary estate towards tho upkeep of a bed in the Dunedin Hospital for patients suffering from heart disease. Tho amount available would bo disclosed when tho estate was administered Received. PAYMENTS TQ SOUTH OTAGO. The Director-General of Health wrote with reference to the apportionment of assets and liabilities between Otago and South Otago Boards, and stated that the Minister had directed that an Order in Council should bo prepared providing for tho payment by the Otago Board to tho South Otngo_ Hospital of the suf of £13,958 in six-monthly instalments, clue respectively on September 1, 1922, March 31 and September 1, 1923, and March 31 and September 1, 1924, and March 31, 1925. Tho writor added that the Government would, on tlie same dates, pay half tho amount of such instalments to the Otago Hospital Board. The Secretary (Mr Jacobs) pointed out that tho letter provided for a threeyearly payment instead of a four-yearly as already fixed. The secretary was instructed to draw tho department’s attention to this. • BANK OVERDRAFT. The Director-General of Health wrote stating that the Minister h.-M approved of the board, if necessary, incurring during tho financial year commencing April 1 next a hank 'overdraft at any time not exceeding £15,000. Should the board require to exceed this _it would bo necessary to obtain tho Minister’s consent. Also endorsing that tho Minister of Finance had approved of advances being made on account of subsidy within certain limits.—Finance Committee to act. THE ESTIMATES. In moving tho adoption of tho Finance Committee’s report, Mr Quelch said that tho local authorities would probably be again asked to find £45,000 (which, however, included £5,000 capital and tho contribution to tho South Otago Board), It would not bo possible to carry on on less if tho same standard of efficiency was to bo maintained. Nothing was allowed for any emergency, such as an epidemic. Mr Dove said ho could not agree with tho chairman of tho committee when ho said it would require as much this year as last to carry on. He was satisfied that they wore going to save far more than £I,OOO on their coal lull alone. Then the contract urices for stores wero down considerably. Local bodies would have a very pointed question to put to the hoard if tho latter asked tho same amount as last year.

The Chairman pointed out that as a set-off to the savings .mentioned by Mr Dovo the outdoor relief was bound to increase. The ratepayers should shako hands with themselves that the rate was not higher than that struck last year. , Mr Quoloh said the only way to bring down the rat© was to trim tiio hospital. In .last year’s estimate no capital had been provided for. This year, too, there was the payment to South Otago, and there would he no soldier patients’ fees, while there would probably he a larger percentage of ordinary patients who would bo unable to pay fees. If the unemployment continued there would be a larger proportion of benevolent expenditure. Then there was tiro increased cost of the Lawrence Hospital, and other items. Dr Howlands said thero was another matter which needed attention. That was tho children’s ward, which should bo reopened witout delay. It had boon kept closed at groat inconvenience to the hospital and the patients, the reason being to save stalling and the board’s finances.

The report was adopted. GENERAL. The hon. medical staff wrote suggesting tho addition of Dr Cotteroll’s name to those of Drs Carsweh and Ross m connection with the appointment of an hon. assistant ophthalmic surgeon.— Referred to the Hospital Committee for report, tho previous snb-cominittee_ to confer with representatives of the LDiversity Council and report to the Hospital Committee. Tho Registrar of tho University of Otago wrote asking the board to reconsider its decision regarding the amount of its subsidy towards the Dental Hospital, tho hoard having promised to give the matter consideration when tho estimates for 1922-23 were before it.—Referred to Finance Committee for report. Mrs S. Evans Hicks wrote resigning her position as chairwoman of the Ladies’ Benevolent Advisory Committee.—Resignation accepted, and Mrs Hicks to'bo thanked for her services. Tho niattdr of election of chairwoman to be left to the Ladies’ Benevolent Advisory Committee. Miss K. MTndoo was .appointed a temporary sister at tho hospital. Tho matter of appointment of two junior surgeons (male) was referred to tlie Hospital Committee for report.