HOSPITAL ECONOMY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20846, 13 April 1931, Page 11

HOSPITAL ECONOMY.

EFFECT OF LOWER SUBSIDY.

REDUCED . PAY FOR NURSES.

BURDEN OF UNEMPLOYMENT.

"It seems that the board will simply have to curtail its activities, which would bo very undesirable," said Mr. W. Wallace, chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board, who has returned from a meeting of the Hospital Boards' Association at

Wellington, at which the intended 10 per cent, reduction in hospital board subsidies was considered. "Unemployment means that tlie standard of living will be reduced, resulting in an increase in applica-

tions for admission to the hospital," said Mr. Wallace. "I have just learned that at the I'rinco Albert Hospital in Sydney 250 beds have had to be put into disuse owing to lack of funds, but I hope such a position will not arise in New Zealand," Mr. Wallace con-

tinued. "Tho Minister of Health told us that the Government had no alternative but to curtail the subsidy payable to boards. Grants to the Health Department would be between £90,000 and £IOO,OOO

less thai; last year. "Tho four principal hospital boards are

the ones chiefly affected by the unemployment position, and the need was emphasised for some further assistance. 1 assured the Minister that as far as Auckland was concerned, whatever tho position, no person would be allowed to starve."

Mr. Wallace said tho only redress obtained was that the boarding allowances of nurses in residence would not be

affected by the 10 per cent, cut, which would apply only to salaries. Repeated representations had been made in the

matter. "1 told tho Minister that in my opinion the salaries of purses should not bo reduced, as nurses had never received a salary commensurate with tho work expected of thorn," Mr. Wallace said.