HOSPITAL COSTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27391, 17 May 1950, Page 3

HOSPITAL COSTS

Effect Of Subsidy Remoyals CARE OF THE AGED A National Obligation Special to the Daily Times OAMARU, May 16. The removal of a number of Government subsidies appeared likely to have the immediate effect of increasing the board’s expenditure by £3631 at the Oamaru Hospital. £251 at the Victoria Home and £4O at the Kurow Hospital, a total of £3922. stated the. treasurer, Mr Walter M. Richardson, in a report to the Waitaki Hospital Board yesterday morning. This figure, he stated, covered only the commodities which had already been gazetted, and it would be appreciated that further increases in the prices of these, as well as other commodities not listed, must soon occur. "We have already received advice of a further rise shortly, due to an increase of 33i per cent, in freight charges," Mr Richardson stated. “Any increase with respect to wages will have the effect of increasing expenditure at the* rate of £IOOO a year exclusive of the medical and nursing staff, at the hospital, £IOO per year at the Victoria Home and £25 a year at Kurpw.” The chairman, Mr J. Rodman, said he had listened to the Prime Minister, Mr Holland, when he announced the removal of subsidies. There was going to be a great change, he said. Most people realised that this had to come about. One reason for the increased expenditure of hospital boards over recent years was that a great many old people were occupying beds. In some instances these people were not hosp'tal cases and should be cared for in private homes. It was realised that the care of the aged was a national undertaking and no district, on its own, could undertake such a responsibility. Mr Rodman said he sometimes wondered about the expenditure of hospital boards and other public institutions, but the people must realise that to have these they must pay for them. When these services were asked tor it must be remembered they

could only be made possible by the industry of the people. The demand for hospital beds had increased, but great strides had been made so far as health was concerned, and these advances were going to be beneficial in the future. The standard of hospital services must not be allowed to suffer through these increases in prices, Mr Rodman added. He believed in paying every servant well for his labours, but he also believed that good service must be- given for that remuneration.