HAWERA HOSPITAL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 19 May 1925, Page 8

HAWERA HOSPITAL.

CHAIRMAN'S ANNUAL REPORT

At the meeting of tne Hawera Hospital Hoard hold .yesterday a very exhaustive report was made by the chairmart (Air. J»\ Gillamfei®) of the work lor the twelve mouths ended on March; 31. His repor t was as iollows : During the year which closed on Alar.ch last the demand for hospital treatment has steadily increased.. The number of admissions ai;e 780 as against (5(12 larst year, *ikl ,515 the preceding year. The daily average has likewise increased. The figures are for this year 51.72, for last year 47.69. and the preceding year -12.7. The total patient days, of course, have increased with the same proportion. They are, this year 18,880. last year 17.454, the preceding year 13,960. It .should he nobed that this increase- is not clue entirely to the increase in population, lint indicates a growing confidence in, the institution by the people of the district. There have been several forward •steps taken during the year. (1) An out-patient- system h’as been inaugurated. At the'beginning of the year there was little or no attempt made to deal systematically with discharged and other out-patients. Now many visits are being made to tiie hospital by persons who are able to reside at home and fees collected where. ■ jxisreilble. The returns show that 77 ctuse.s were treated in this way and 884 visits mack 1 . The Minister of Health, a! the conference of hospital delegates in Wellington, pointed out the necessity of developing this side of the board’s activities as being the best means of minimising the increasing 'hospital expenditure and consequent burden on the ratepayers. (2) The change in the medical administration of the hospital. The hoard arrived at its decision to inaugurate the hor.rary staff after careful. consideration, and, judging by its success, the, board's action seems to have been justified. 1, am of opinion, however, that the system should be carefully watched and only tried men admitted to tire honorary staff. (3) Resident Medical Officer.—Although the innovation was made before the commencement of this financial year. T was hardly in a position, at the last annual meeting, to state how the system would work.. We have mow given it a thorough trial, and 1. am pleased to state it has- been most .satisfactory. The board has been fortunate in, each instance in securing the right, type of man for the job, and the extra attention and service secured lias more than justified the appointment.. ft is satisfactory to note that this increased efficiency fi«is been obtained at- practically no extra, expense*—the saving in" anaesthetic- fees lias, just about balanced the increase in- .salaries'.

SISTERS’ HOME. Hie decision of the board to purchase a lionise in Gladstone Street to be used as a, sisters’ home, lias been justified. There can he no doubt that, the accommodation was ba-dlv needed. I am. pleased to state that the sisters uow enjoy a- reasonable amount of comfort, and the nursing staff bars been brought up •to full strength, namely, am average of one -nurse to every two patients. NEW HOSPITAL.

' The most important event is, of course, the letting of the contract a,ml the commencement of the bifllding of the new hospital. It- might be remarked that the contractor -has been favoured with excellent weather! and is making reailly good progress. With the exception of the heating and domestic hot water service, everything is in good going, order. The latter has bee-n referred to the Department of Health, and J. am in hopes of being able to give a satisfactory report shortly. The expenditure lias gone on rather more 'rapidly than we anticipated. The amount spent to the end ot the year is! £11,666, being £4397 on plans, reading, waiter, etc., and £7269 o-iI, account of the building contract. ADDITIONS TO FARM.

You may possibly have heard some outside criticism of the purchase of an additional 10 acres of farm land. I believe, however, that every member of the board, and all those who have taken the tr/ouble to go carefully into the matter fully realise that this action. wats no only necessary for the economical working of the farm, but Was an, exceptionally good purchase, the land being close to the borough boundary and likely "to g-o up in value. The farm continues to be- a useful adjunct; to the hospital service and snows an increased profit this year. BALANCELSiHEET.

Ihe balance-sheet shows some interesting figures. Hospital maintenance .shows an actual increase of £IOO/, but art tuereaiso ol Only one penny per occupied bed per day. - The rate last year -was 10& scl; this year it is 10s 6d l;or each, occupied bed. The increase is not found in any one depa, itment. but is a> general, increase- ol* expenditure all .round.

Old People’s Home.—The actual expenditure for, the year hits decreased £ll,- hut the attendance at the home has also dropped. The cost per week per head, I regret to say, has risen from 22si laist year to 23s 7ti. - Charitable Aid Outdoor Relief,—lt is satisfactory to note that a decrease in expenditure of £B4 has taken place, lire number of recipients has also decreased.

Amounts paid to other hoards and institutions, o.g.—Special hospital and sanatoria treatment. A decrease of £3 is recorded. Last year’s figures were £574. this year’s expenditure is £571. I am afraid that on account of the number ol infantile paralysis cases that should go to Rotorua, we must expect an increase in the ensuing yea r.

Administrative Expenditure.— Under tin's heading an increase of £l7l Ims been made. The factors contributing are travelling expenses (on account of trips made to Wellington in connection with matters relating to the new hospital) and ait increase of the office staff. I NOOM'E. Jn every ease •except one we have to record an increase in income. The amounts collected in patients fees from all sources is £4131 3s iOd, which is well over £IOOO more than last year (£2880) or the preceding year (£3121). included in the above are. the outpatients’ lees, which have risen from £24 last, year to £162 this year. In spite oi the fact that the .hospital earnings have been, considerably greater this year than last, the amount of fees on the hooks at the close of the year is very little more -than the previous year.

Charitable Air Recoveries.—Outdoor Rclicl. The amount recovered this year is £12.1 as against £76 last year. The recoveries in connection with payments to other institutions this year are £204 as against £Bl last. year. The recoveries in connection with the Old People’s Home, however, show £39 less this year than last. The figures being, this

year £212 and last year £251. The farm nrofit- and loss account shows £—3 excess' of profits this oyer last._ The figures being a net profit ol £2<3 tins wear and £252 last year, Contributors.—The most pleasing feature of the increases for the year lies in the fact that the voluntary donations, collections and proceeds from entertainments, have more than doubled this year. The amount received is £ll2 19s 2d. This fact points out that the people of the hospital district are taking a keener interest in this institution than hitherto, and it is hoped that this will continue. It should also be borne in mind that eacli £1 donated, hears another £1 by way of Government subsidy. In conclusion, 1 should like to thank the medical superintendent and the resident medical officer, and the honorary medical staff for their work in connection with the hospital service. The matron, sisters and nurses are also to be thanked. The matron of the Old' People’s Home and. her assistant, together with the farm manager, are to he commended. The secretary and the office staff should not he overlooked. After reading the report, the chairman paid a. tribute to the- good work of the .secretary (Mr. G. M. Haggett). Jn moving the adoption of the chairman’s report, Mr. Gifford said Air. Gi l landers Had to be congratulated on liis clear and explicit statement of the position. Air. A. L. Campbell seconded. saying that the chairman was entitled to congratulation on the very complete and exhaustive record given of the work of the board for the year. The repo,it was adopted unanimously.