HOSPITAL FINANCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21473, 22 April 1933, Page 13

HOSPITAL FINANCE

ESTIMATES FOR YEAR

levy not reduced THE COST OF RELIEF The levy upon local bodies for hospital administration and charitable aid in the present financial year will bo •26d in the pound, which is a similar rate to that of last year. The figure is given in the estimates of the Auckland Hospital Board, which show an estimated expenditure of £290,262 for the ensuing year, compared with an actual expenditure last year of £329,183, a decrease of £38,921. The board hopes to extinguish the present deficit of £28,000. N Provision is mndo for a decrease in maintenance requirements of £O9ll and an increaso in capital requirements of £4050, reducing the amount from the local bodies and the Government by £2861. The local body levy will bo reduced by only £223 and the Government subsidy by £2038. The Government subsidy will be 21s Id, as against 22s 2d last year. Services Not to be Curtailed Commenting on the estimates at a special meeting of the board yesterday, the chairman, Mr. W. Wallace, said it was largely because the demands for outdoor relief were so high that no reduction could be made in the levy on local bodies. The estimates had been framed with a view to economising in every department without impairing the efficiency or curtailing the services of the hospital. It is estimated that the total maintenance expenditure for the year will be £269,214, as against estimated payments in 1931-32 of £270,455 (the actual payments were £301,392.) The estimated payments are thus reduced by £l2ll. Payments in which increases are recorded and the amount of the estimated increases are as follows: — Bank overdraft, £15,981; hospital, £13,250; infirmary, £2000; dental hospital, £1000; refund to Government, £1106; miscellaneous, £2030; total, £37,367. Decreases are as follows: —Outdoor relief, £4000; interest, £1747/ refund of Government's subsidy advance, £32,000; miscellaneous, £831; total, £38,578. Higher Receipts "Receipts are estimated to produce £64,100, as against £58,400 in last j'ear's estimates (the actual receipts were £62,183), representing an increase of £5700. Increases are allowed for in the following items, the amount reduced also being given:—Levy outstanding, £3995; subsidy outstanding, £3736; pensions, £500; district nursing, £SO; total, £B2BI. Decreases are represented by £2378, subsidy from the Government; and £203, miscellaneous; total, £2581. The estimated maintenance charges for the hospital in the ensuing year are £104,000, which is less by £3OIO than the payment last year. Expenditure in connection with the Auckland Infirmary is estimated to absorb £30.000, which is £BOO less than last year's payments, although higher than last vear's estimates by £2OOO.

Payments for outdoor relief last year totalled £44,479, and this year they are expected to amount to £46,000. The present monthly commitment is £3600. Unless conditions improve, states the board, an increase may be looked for in this department rather than a decrease.

. Expenditure on tho sanatoria is estimated at £7BOO, an increase of £2250. sUnless patients are refused medical attention or admission to sanatoria no reduction can he mado in exnense, the hoard states. There is a steadily increasing demand for sanatorium -treatment. The district nursing and medical associations are expected to absorb £I2OO, an increase of £l4O. Tho estimates were adopted. The Health Department has advised tho hoard that it is impossible to give an indication of the amount that will be available for subsidies and the estimates mnst be subject to revision in the light of decisions arising out of the present financial conditions.