HOSPITAL EXPENDITURE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3877, 3 July 1928, Page 56

HOSPITAL EXPENDITURE.

DIFFICULTIES OF BOARDS. WELLINGTON, June 29. Mr C. M. Luke, chairman of the Wellington Hospital Board, replying to charges of extravagant administration, pointed out that unforeseen expenditure had been thrown upon the board. The increase in the social welfare department alone was £10,145, and over this the board had no control. Provision for the unemployed should not be looked upon as part' of regular expenditure. They had to make provision for the increased demands on hospital resources. The number of occupied beds last year was 561, and now 687, with a long waiting list. One member said the board was giving its services to people who could well afford to pay for private treatment, but others considered that unemployment was principally responsible for the drain on the money. The board had found it necessary to reduce the amount of relief afforded gratuitously, particularly for single men and for rent. The latter would be reduced to two-thirds. The chairman stated that the board would soon be experiencing a . serious shortage of finance unless the expenditure for the remainder of the year was curtailed. Increases in staff and salaries were given as one cause, and one member suggested that hospital charges must be reviewed.