OTAGO HOSPITAL BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25853, 25 May 1945, Page 6

OTAGO HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING

The monthly meeting of the Otago Hospital Board last night was attended by Dr D. G. McMillan (chairman), Mrs D. G. McMillan, Mrs Norah Ross, and Messrs A. Reid, A. F. Quelch, J. W. Dove, R. Walls, and P. G. Connolly, M.P. Ministerial approval was received for construction work for the kitchen and dining room block at the Dunedin Hospital at a cost of £12,878. • ■ : Satisfaction was expressed at the intimation from the City Council that pro-, vision for mortuary accommodation would be made over three financial years, which meant that the full amount would be available in approximately two years from date. ’ • Monthly Statistics The medical superintendent (Dr James, Thomson) reported that 379 patients remained in Hospital at March 31. Admissions in April totalled 609. Discharges numbered 515, and there were 33 deaths. Two hundred and seventy-one operations were performed, of which 91 were major operations. Increased Levies id When letters from the Waihemo■ and’ Waikouaiti County Councils were Under discussion Mr Reid saicf that the Waikouaiti district was greatly concerned about the continued increases in hospital levies. The position was a very difficult. one for the county, which was now paying 40 per cent, of its rates in hospital levies. Mr Reid quoted the action of a North Island local bodv which had asked the Government for a loan of £IOO,OOO interest-free for roading purposes. He understood that the Government was now making interest-free loans for amenities, and he wondered whether the Waikouaiti and Waihemo Councils and the Hospital Board could apply for such a loan. The Waikouaiti County at the moment was debt-free. , , . .. The chairman said any member of the Finance Committee, and Mr Reid was one, could bring such a proposal before the next meeting of the committee. Personally, it was his view that in respect of interest-free money too many props wanted it both ways. They wanted Intel - est-free money for themselves on Monday, and on Tuesday objected to such money being generally, available.