SOCIAL SERVICE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24776, 28 November 1941, Page 7

SOCIAL SERVICE

HOSPITAL TREATMENT OTAGO BOARD'S ACTIVITIES The chairman, Mr J. W. Dove, presenting a report on the annual accounts of the Otago Hospital Board, 1940-41. and the balance as at March 31, 1941, at the meeting last night, said that, in view of extensions, etc., he could see the board confronted with a capital expenditure aggregating £200,000. The report states, inter alia:— The annual accounts for 1940-41 are of more than passing interest, being the first complete year since social security hospital benefits came into operation. The excess of income over expenditure has fallen from £73,585 4s 3d to £62.368 lis 6d. Hospital maintenance has increased by £16,177 17s 9d over the 1940 figures, of which increase Dunedin Hospital absorbs £ 12,225 «3s Bd. This increase represents an actual increase of 11.8 per cent, on the previous year, but when adjusted to the increased number of occupied beds is 4.9 per cent. Maintenance of Talboys home has increased by £1219 17s Id, while outdoor relief has fallen by £590 17s sd. Fees written off have fallen from £50,403 18s 2d to £23,959 8s 4d. This item will continue to fall as the accounts prior to social security hospital benefits are completed. Excess of income over expenditure now stands at £63,368 lis 6d—a reduction of £9773 7s 3d. This figure represents the amount by which expenditure exceeded income for the year. Fees receivable continue to rise, due to the increased number of patients. Dunedin Hospital shows an increase of £5517 13s 6d, while the total increase is £5325 0s Bd.

The principal increase in payments Is in maintenance of Dunedin Hospital—viz., £7346 5s 4d, and Hill Jack Hospital £2829 14s lid; a total of £10,176 0s 3d. The expenditure at Hill Jack Hospital can be bracketed with Dunedin Hospital as it has served as an annex to the Nurses' Home pending completion of the new wing. With accommodation available at the home, this expenditure should fall until such time as the institution is occupied as a hospital, Capital receipts consisted chiefly of £4OOO from the War Expenses Department towards the cost of Talboys Home extensions and levies on local authorities £BOOO, no payment being received from the Government by way of subsidy. The balance of cash on hand at March 31, 1941, at £14,365 2s 5d is less by £22,171 5s 3d, chiefly because capital subsidies are held by the Government until actually required.