HOSPITAL FINANCE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 149, 24 May 1928, Page 6

HOSPITAL FINANCE

LOCAL BODIES’ OPINIONS

BOARD’S ACTIONS UPHELD

(Special to “Standard.”)

FEHjDING, May 24 The increase in contribution to the administrative cost of the Palmerston North Hospital Board was touched upon briefly at yesterday s annual, general meeting of the Oroua County Council when the chairman (Cr. A. Campbell) gave it as his opinion that the recent criticism levelled at tne Board was futile as was any criticism unless it was constructive. He Had every confidence in the board s ability to administer the money entrusted to it and considered that the matter could bo safelv left in its hands. Cr. W. Greenliow, the county representative on the board, said he could throw no further light on the position other than the council knew at 'P r <-* sent. The Palmerston North Borough Council had asked for a commission which, if appointed, could do no harm, but might alter the position as regards the board. The latter event, however, the speaker did not think was likely to occur. BUILDING PROGRAMME. Referring to the building programme at the hospital, Cr. Greenliow declared that this matter bad been thrashed out before. Dr. Valintine and the public could rest assured that anything he gave his consent to was quite necessary because he had been most emphatic in Ill’s desire to curtail expenditure. Tile only thirfg the commission could x\o in this respect would be to endorse the action of the board. 1 here was one point in the attitude taken by some of the protesting bodies which struck the speaker as strange and that was in regard to the Maternity Home. The home had not cost the board a penny. Half the cost had been found by the people of Palmerston North and the rest by subsidy. Referring to a statement made iii Feilding that,, if Palmerston North had this home, it was time Feilding had a similar one or a cottage hospital. Cr. Greenliow said that such a request could not be granted without a still further rise m the levies. The speaker concluded his remarks by saying that the commission, if appointed, would be able to sift these matters down to bedrock, but it would not make any difference to the country members of the board wlio already predominated the Palmerston North members in numbers and carefully watched every item of expense. KIWI TEA COUNCILLOR’S VIEW. The matter was also brought under discussion at yesterday’s meeting of the Kiwitea County Council, the share of contribution from which body was shown to be £507 greater this year than last year. Cr. Hair referred to the Maternity Home and stated that he could not see why K-imbolton County ratepayers should be asked to contribute towards its maintenance. The secretary of the Hospital Board had stated that “Palmerston North would feel it.” The chairman. (Cr. L. T. McLean) agreed that the Maternity Home was going to cost a lot to keep going. Cr. Hair: I can’t see what Palmerston North has to “yell” about; they are much better oif thill we are. The chairman: Certainly they are. Continuing, Cr. Hair said be could not see why the secretary to the board should have a motor, car. The chairman: It is the secretary s own ear and the board only pays running expenses. “L think the main point we should support is that concerning the Government subsidy,” said Cr. D. L. Lounger. “It should be put on a more equitable basis. The whole matter of hospital administration is becoming a'burning question.” Cr. Hair:.lt is if our levy is to go up £SOO every year. The chairman: it is becoming very serious. ! Cr. Hair: This talk of more subsidies is no good, it is only taking money out of our pockets to put it ill another. I still maintain that the cost of administration is too high. The funds for hospital maintenance should come Lout of the Consolidated Fund and then everyone would share in the cost. I think the time has arrived when all contributing bodies' should meet in conference to discuss the whole question. Surely if They got together they could work out some Improved scheme.

The chairman remarked upon the low aubsicly received from the Government by the Palmerston North Hospital Board as against that paid to other institutions, Palmerston North receiving last year 15s as against 24s paid to other boards. IMPORTANCE OF HOSPITALS.

Cr Hair claimed that hospital maintenance was more important than that of highways. With reference to the subsidy, the chairman explained how local bodies had pressed for a higher rate without result. The Palmerston Board would be satisfied with a £1 subsidy. The county clerk suggested that contributions towards the cost of hospital maintenance should be made on the basis of the capital value and population. >

It was agreed that the only thing to do was to frame a remit for the Counties’ Conference.

All counties were suffering from the same difficulties, said Cr Younger, and with the counties and the Fanners’ Union urging the same claims there was a chance of tlie Government doing something.

Later in the meeting a letter was read from the Palmerston North Borough Council asking support to the proposal'for the appointment of a commission.

“I think they are a bit late,” said the chairman. “The position is that the Government iias. given its consent for the new building costing £IB,OOO. Tlie board wanted to build another operating theatre, but the Government refused to give its consent to this. The Palmerston North Borough Council had an opportunity of protesting when Dr Valintine visited Palmerston North to view the plans of the new building. “What’s this trouble over the hospital water supply?” asked Cr Hair. “The Borough Council has treated the board very unfairly over the supply of water and has forced the board to extra expenditure to ensure an ample supply,” said the chairman. “Palmerston North has itself to thank,” said Cr Hair. “It wants to be the biggest place in the world and will have to carry the cost.”

Following further discussion the clerk was instructed to prepare a remit for the Counties’ Associations’ Conference dealing with the question of an alteration of the system of allocating hospital levies.

THE PUBLIC HOSPITAL

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —In connection with Cr. Eliott’s motion passed by? the Borough Council alleging unnecessary and wasteful expenditure on the part of the Hospital Board, I think in common fairness to the Board, he should ed that part- of the Board’s capital expenditure—a sum of £l6O0 —is required to provide the 1 institution with a sufficient supply to safeguard patients and buildings in case of an

outbreak of fire, also to provide a sufficiency of water for domestic purposes and, lastly, to flush the sewer channels 1 How will the borough administration figure on this phase if the facts are submitted to a commission? May I ask the Mayor upon, what authority he claims in support of the statement that the council will not be called upon to pay the cost,.of tlie commission. Before tlie Minister - can appoint a commission of enquiry the contributing authority must state in definite terms, not bald generalities, wherein there is proposed to be unnecessary. and wasteful expenditure on the part of the board. So far as I have been able to follow the outburst not one single point has been made to justify a commission of enquiry and as the onus of proof rests with the Borough Council they will have to get busy. In conclusion may I point out that in view of the fact that the hospital has been and is a_,source of provincial benefit to the town, apart altogether from the humanitarian blessing we enjoy, the council’s criticism smacks of base ingratitude, and - I hope tho board will express its views in reply thereto at a public meeting in ordqr to ascertain whether the public endorse the council’s action. —I am. etc.. FAIR PLAY.