HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION

Evening Star, Issue 17955, 28 April 1922, Page 7

HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION

THE YEAR REVIEWED. SOUTH OTAGO’S SEPARATION. Mr W. E. S. Knight, who has been chairman of the Otago Hospital Board for the past five yearn, and who has again been elected to ,tho position, .referred last evening to several matters which have engaged tho attention of tho board during the past year. In the course of his remarks he paid: Wo have now had experience for twelve months of tho separation of South Otago. So far I can liml no evidence of any advantage accruing to tho new district, as during the whole of that period there is no sign of the erection of any new hospitals in that district. From the newspaper reports the new board ia experiencing some of the difficulties which beset all boards, and the members are learning that they cimnot_ do all (hoy charged this board with not doing and which they thought they could do. The, new board is still dependent on this board for nil its services, and although they are paying a slightly increased charge for maintenance, such doco not cover the total cost when the expense of administration is taken into consideration. A boast was made recently that (ho residents of (hat district were taking more advantage of hospital facilities; but I cannot see how this hao been arrived at. Tho figures this year which arc actual—viz., 290 persons treated in the Dunedin Hospital—are certainly more than the figures which were estimated the previous two years. Seeing that tho board had to charge the district with all patients, a most careful chock w,io kept as to where such patients camo from; hut iu previous years, when they belonged to one district, such accuracy was not essential, and- the previous figures supplied were never intended to bo used ia Hi wav in which they have, l should say that there is practically no difference. Again, the award of portion of this board's assets to the South Otago Board is, on that board’s own showing, quite unprecedented; but perhaps it may be as Well to refrain from further comment. To meet our diminished Income, and in order not to prev-s- 100 heavily on the ratepayers, all capital levies were cut out last year, and only the minimum amount of work v.v.o carried out; and I would impress on the members that, it is still necessary io practise the, strictest economy with efficiency to keep down our expenditure for tins year. I am pleased to say that; ns will bo seen from tire estimates before you this evening, tho board has not exceeded Us estimates for tho past year in (he maintenance account, and this has been accomplished only by turning deaf cars to anything in the nature of expenditure which was not absolutely essential and the prevention of waste. The. greatest credit., however, must be given to (ho board's officers for carrying out their duties iu (his respect. The augmentation of our stock of radium, now valued at £5.000, and our practically new and up-to-date X-ray plant, only recently installed, must bo recorded as most important advances, ami these have been possible as the result of the well-known generosity of our citizens, aided by Government subsidy thereon. The. community suffered a severe. loss by tho lamented death of M-ra Gordon during the year, ami her good deeds need no word, of mine to keep hej memory evergreen in the. hearts of those who were privileged to associate with her.

The- Royal Commission's report on hospital control has been made available, and many recommendations thereon will meet with general approval; but. I am just afraid that tho result will be much the same as reports of so many other commissions in this country, and the relief expected by main hospitals, ami mo-re particularly that required for a teaching hospital, will be tardy incoming.

New hospitals looming in the distance aro thoso at Roxburgh and Palmerston, and these will tc required to be provided for at the not very far distant future. The maternity hospital at Lawrence was officially opened during the year, and from returns to" hand this addition is being appreciated by (’fi residents of that locality. The intslallation of the new boilers at the hospital is now complete, and the necessary connections for the change over from tho old is being completed, and it is. hoped that some considerable relief will ho obtained in our enormous coal bill, as well as providing greater efficiency, and relieving the mind of our engineer from tho strain of endeavoring id provide efficiency with such an obsolete plant. Additional lecture rooms aro being provided fur stu.cnts and teachers at. the Dunedin Hospital; buT tins board is relieved of financial worry on that score, as, with tho well-known practicability of those advocating the scheme, tho finances were assured by adequate donations and l Government subsidy thereon. - j Tho “Louisa. Roberto” Hospital at MLdloinarch was also officially opened during tho year, and I feel sure that, notwithstanding certain, opposition at its inception, now that it is iu working order much use will be made, of tho institution, which will serve a largo population and ,-istrict, as tho residents aro wholeheartedly supporting this valuable institution. .Extensions to tic Port Chalmers Hospital were likewise officially opened, and an theso will provide accommodation for women, it is needless for me to dwell on the importance of tho event, as you will all recognise what this addition will moan to our seaport (own and its inhabitants. I should iiko to express my thanks to cadi member of the board for tho assistance rendered to me during my occupancy of the chair; and, without creating invidious distinctions, I desire to specially thank Mr Quelch, as chairman of tho Finance Committee, to whom wo are all much indebted for his ability in this direction, and to Mr Talboys, tho chairman of the Benevolent Committee, who practically relieves ma of any worry in this branch of tho board’s activities. This work has boon earned <n by him for a period extending further bad: than tho board's eleven years of existence. To tho secretary and the medical superintendent and the staff generally I desire to 'convey my thanks for their loyal assistance and co-operation. THIS YEAR’S ESTIMATES. £4-5,000 REQUIRED. Tho estimates for the year ending March 31, 1923, were laid before tho board, Tho following table as to maintenance shows the actual payments made last year and the estimated payments this year; Adi 'S.sVi .go’ gSY SfjY •P tea -3 a) K CL 'h Hospital maintenance £67,902 111 £72,000 Charitable Aid— • . Indoor 6,059 1 6 7,000 Outdoor 7,915 5 1 9,000 Administration 4,788 9 9 5,000 Amounts paid to other boards and separate institutions 904 0 7 1,500 Rent, rates, taxes, and Interest 881 6 0 1,200 Miscellaneous payments University, £1,050; refund O. A. P., £364 11s 4d; Jit. John Ambulance Association, £250; radium, £l7O ID 10a; sundries, £42 1,877 6 2 3,246 Repayment of capital moneys used for maintenance purposes 16,282 16 2 Mr Quelch (chairman of the Finance. Committee) said that Urn boaru would require about £45,000 for the year (£39,115 for maintenance and £5,883 capital expenditure). Last year they had tip? ordinary levy for tho year without any capital expenditure, and they also had the benefit of a supplementary levy. Of course, although there was no capital expenditure, they had a little reserve fund as a stand by, and that had to bo made out of tho supplementary levy. This year it was proposed to levy a very small amount, comparatively speaking, for capital '■xr.tg. iitnro, Maintenance was very much the same as last year. It would be remembered that last .year they had fees from soldiers, which were paid in full. Now this was a diminishing quantity. They had very few soldiers now, while this winter there was every prospect of things being pretty bad. There would bo greater calls on tho benevolent department, and many people would not bo able to pay hospital fees. So, taking nil things into consideration and allowing for anything of a special nature, " they would require £45,000 to be levied on tho contributing bodies. Dr Newlands said ho noticed that Mr Talboys (chairman of Benevolent Committee) was content with an extra £I,OOO for outdoor relief. He thought that verified Mr Quelch’a idea of sailing close to tho wind. Tho Chairman said that the£4s,ooo was an Increase of £4,732 on last year, but they had to take into consideration tho payment of £2,327 to South Otago. There would therefqro bo an increase of only £2,405. Mr Talboys said) that the Benevolent Institution was going to cost more than last year. They now had fully twenty-five more cases. 1 Mr Quelch then moved that tho estimates as submitted be approved. Tho levy, ho said, would 1 bo 'made at tho next meeting. The motion was carried.