INCREASE IN PATIENTS LOADS UP EXPENDITURE

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6808, 11 January 1929, Page 8

INCREASE IN PATIENTS LOADS UP EXPENDITURE

Palmerston North Hospital j Accounts MINISTER TO BE INFORMED OF POSITION December was a satisfactory month as regards patients’ fees, at the Palmerston North Hospital, the amount ot £796 being received. The numbare in the hospital did not drop at Christmas this year as they have usually done in the past. At 'present there are 183 in hospital and it appears that the numbers are again slowly increasing. Speaking at tho Hospital Board meeting yesterday on the matter, the chairman pointed out that the amount collected was a few pounds over tho estimate. There was a big discrepancy, however, in the actual maintenance expenditure and the estimate. The increase in the cost of running the institution was due almost solely to the increase in the number of patients. During Christmas 1927, there had been 118 patients, while for Christmas 1928, there were no less than 168 in hospital —an increase of 50. It seemed that in framing next year's estimates, a basis of 200 patients would have to be adopted. “We are now £.1,000 over expended,” commented the chairman, “but it has been unavoidable. The accounts have been carefully scrutinised.” The Board was also £7OO to the bad for the past nine months in the mattel of charitable aid, he said, and at the end of the year was likely to be £SOO over the estimate. The Mayor (Mr. A. J. Graham), Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P. and the general public, had taken a share of the burden of unemployed but the Hospital Board bore the brunt. The Government had given the four cities grants to meet unemployment and he thought Palmerston North might consider making an application for similar help. “Great care has been taken in the collection of accounts,” concluded the chairman, and much moro, than the public think. Mr. J. K. Hornblow mentioned that the Government grant to various centres for unemployment relief had been £2OOO. Mr Hornblow considered there would be no harm in bringing the matter before the Minister of Health during his visit to Palmerston North next week. The secretary could prepare a statement showing the cost of unemployment relief to the district and if the Board only got back its proportion it tfould be acceptable. There had been a great deal of unemployment in the district and if the Government would not help, the Board had no alternative but to pass the cost on to the ratepayers. Mr Monk did not agree with Mr. Hornblow. Tho proper people to make application to the Government were the municipal authorities and not a hospital board. The £2OOO granted the four centres was for relief of unemployment by employing tho workless. Tho men had to work for their money. However, the Minister should be advised of the seriousness of the cost of charitable aid in the district. Mr Hornblow stated in reply that while the responsibility might rest with the municipalities and cities, nevertheless the late Prime Minister had made it clear that the unemployed should make applications for relief to Clmritablo Aid Boards.