SOUTH OTAGO HOSPITALS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23858, 12 July 1939, Page 17

SOUTH OTAGO HOSPITALS

MONTHLY BOARD MEETING The monthly meeting of the South Otago Hospital Board was held at Balclutha yesterday, when there were present—Messrs W. J. McKenzie (in the chair), D. McGregor. W. Sutherland, A, Renton, A. V. King, A. Rennie; Ji Fenton, A. King and H. A. Brough. Superintendent’s Report The medical superintendent (Dr D. G. Radcliffe) submitted the following report, with the comparative figures for last year:— Balclutha.—Admissions 60 (65), discharges 47 (66), remaining 55 (58), X-ray 16 (12), massage 26 (42). Milton.—Admissions 22 (16), discharges 16 (18), remaining 13 (10). Owaka.—Admissions 9 (3), discharges 8 (4), remaining 13 (10). Kaitangata.—Admissions 4 (4), discharges 5 (4), remaining 1 (1). The report was adopted. Finance The accounts for the month amounted to £1979 4s Id, and receipts to £2116 5s 7d. Approval was received from the Acting Director-general of Health (Dr R. A. Shore) of the building extension loan of £25.000. Hospital Benefits A number of circulars concerning the operation of the hospital benefits under the Social Security Act were reviewed by the secretary (Mr W. Roy). Mr Fenton said that the board, as a country. board, would benefit under the scheme. An insurance scheme for farmers had been advocated locally some years ago, but, perhaps fortunately, it had never come to maturity. He reviewed figures for the past six or seven years illustrating various phases of hospital costs. The average return from each bed last year had been £75 16s. Under the scheme the return would be £lo9' 10s, so that the benefit was a considerable one. In all, at the South Otago Base Hospital, the benefit would be about £I6OO, a considerable sum. He pointed out that, of the 18 hospitals in the Dominion of this class, the South Otago ' Hospital ranked fifth highest for the collection of fees. He also remarked that since 1932-33 the average length of a patient’s stay had decreased, but the number of patients had increased. Mr McGregor said he failed to be enthusiastic over the matter. The board was not actually getting something for nothing. He had looked forward to this scheme to provide much better conditions, but as it was he could not understand how anyone could say they were getting free treatment. The chairman remarked that some people thought they were paying Is in the £1 for the social security, but actually It was only 4d. Mr Fenton: A few years ago you were paying Is in the £1 and getting nothing for it.