HOSPITAL BUDGET

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21466, 13 April 1933, Page 13

HOSPITAL BUDGET

. DEFICIT EXAMINED COST OF MAINTENANCE HEAVY RELIEF PAYMENTS Hospital maintenance and relief payments were the two items principally responsible for the deficiency of £28,880 in the accounts of the Auckland Hospital Board for the past financial jear. Under the former heading the estimates were overspent by £16,291, while under the second heading the over-expenditure was £9469 (outdoor relief £7374, sanatoria £lßls, medical relief £280). A general review of the year's operations has been given by the chairman of the board, Mr. W. Wallace. An examination of the detailed figures reveals further interesting facts, showing the difficulties which have faced the board and the economies effected in an endeavour to right the balance. The original estimate for hospital maintenance was £105,000, but that was reduced later to £90,750. Tlie actual expenditure was £107,010, compared with £118,272 in 1932 and £133,714 in 1931. Increase in Patients "Far from being able to curtail services the board lias been compelled to increase them to meet the extra demands on the hospital services," says a statement accompanying the accounts. "In-patient admissions increased from 9237 to 10,075, or by 838, and out-patient services in even greater proportion." Savings of £1.1,481 were effected in the various departments, compared with tlie previous year. The ordinary hospital payments in the two periods were £98,482 and £109,967 respectively. The largest item was salary and wages, which amounted to £47,764 last year, a reduction of £3957, or 7.6 per cent. Fees collected from hospital patients last year amounted to £39,446, which exceeded the estimates by £1416, but were £4446 below the previous year's total. In the circumstances the amount received is considered by the board to be exceedingly gratifying, representng thousands of small payments from sixpence upward. Infirmary, sanatoria and pension collections exceeded the estimates by £1565 and were actually £4BO greater than in the previous year. That was partly due to some exceptional payments being received. The maintenance payments at the infirmary totalled £30,835, which exceeded the estimates by £2835. However, it is pointed out that a saving of £3163 has been achieved compared with the figures of two years ago. Groceries and Rents Dealing with relief payments, which amounted to £64,419, compared .with the estimate of £54,950, the board's statement poftits out that this item is practically responsible for the balance of the "deficiency. Under the heading of outdoor relief £57,374 was spent, compared wth the estimate of £50,000. The principal items were as follows: —City groceries, £19,010; out-district stores, £13,500; rents and cash grants, £11,579; bread. £7062. It is estimated that unemployed relief payments accounted for £12,894 of the expenditure, making the net ordinary relief expenditure £44,479. It is recalled that the ordinary relief payments in 1926, prior to the commencement of payments for unemployment, were £16,794, on which the 1933 neb figures show an increase of £27,682 or 165 per cent. Outstanding Levies Approximately two-thirds of the board's income is derived from levies on local authorities and Government subsidy, the latter not being payable until the levies are received. The amount collected in levies was £98,034, leaving £3995 outstanding. The local bodies concerned have all expressed tiieir desire to meet their obligations, but they are handicapped in doing so by non-payment of rates. The position is accentuated in most districts by the non-receipt of rates from State-owned properties. ' Interest payments cost the board £23,840. The original estimate was £24,264, and there was no prospect of not exceeding the revised estimate of £22,078 if the board's liabilities were to be met.