HOSPITAL COSTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 90, 14 March 1935, Page 6

HOSPITAL COSTS

BIG CAPITAL EXPENDITURE. PROBLEM FACING BOARD. Faced with problems of accommodation involving big expenditure, the Palmerston North Hospital Board to-day held a special meeting, called by the chairman (Mr J. Iv. Hornblow) to discuss the capital estimates for the coming linancial year. fn a letter to members outlining the reasons for requesting the holding of the meeting, the chairman stated: “In asking lor a special meeting to discuss capital estimates for the coming year i stated that to provide the necessary accommodation for patients and staff and to bring the Hospital up to a modern standard in keeping with the increasing population £40,000 would be required, and justification for this statement could be made. I attribute this need to: —(1) The rapid growth of population, especially in the Palmerston North City; (2) the postwar tendency to seek institutional rather than domiciliary treatment; (3) ■and, latterly, the necessity of postponing from year to year what were obviously essential works owing to the financial condition of the country. “After carefully reviewing with the managing-secretary the essential items of capital expenditure for 1934-35, I would ask members to further postpone works other than those on the draft, list which I am placing before you with the exception that I think you should carefully consider what provision can best bo made regarding house surgeons’ quarters. I would recommend for your serious consideration at a late date the formulating of a comprehensive five-year scheme of works which could he put in hand as soon as conditions warrant. “You will notice from the schedule submitted that the proposed capital estimates exceed those of the last few years but the list covers only what I consider are essential requirements. To embark upon heavier capital expenditure this year in view of the position of the finances of most of our ratepayers would be imposing some hardship and if deficiencies exist at our institution owing to overcrowding and lack of accommodation the public must realise that it is only wi'h great difficulty i tliat the present x* jspital can try to j cope with the requiremens of this large ■ district.”