HOSPITAL MATTERS

Waipa Post, Volume 42, Issue 3304, 2 June 1931, Page 5

HOSPITAL MATTERS

THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S “ CUT.”

CONSIDERED BY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Waikato Hospital administration was discussed by the Te Awamutu Borough Council on Monday evening. The Hamilton town clerk forwarded a lengthy report on the Health Department’s requirements in respect to the Waikato Hospital Board’s economies. The council had forwarded its views to the department. The views of the Hopital Board and of the department were also forwarded.

The Hospital Board’s estimates for the current year, showing a reduction of £12,720 compared with last year, were also submitted and it was claimed by the board that it is unable to reduce the estimates to the amount stipulated by the department. The Mayor said the position had to be considered very carefully. By cutting down the Government subsidy, the local bodies will seemingly have to provide a greater levy to enable the Hospital Board to function. He said the Government’s ecenomy proposals affected all public hospitals, not merely Waikato. The department had informed boards . that they must not increase the levy obtained from local bodies. Waikato claimed that their costs are lower per patient treated than any of the other principal hospitals in the Dominion, and that they are being penalised for efficient administration of their hospital. Cr Spinley said the Board had lately increased its fees payable by patients treated there, but in the prevailing hard times it is likely that a greater proportion of patients will be unable to pay; thus the board will be no better off.

Cr Ernpson considered the board should be supported in its appeal to the Government.

Cr Savill supported, saying hospital boards do a very great amount of work that otherwise would fall on the Government. It was unthinkable that a hospital such as Waikato should be closed down.

Cr Spinley said the department had apparently approved of the creation of cottage hospitals at Huntly, Te Kuiti, and Kawhia, as subsidiaries of Waikato. Now the Government insisted on economies. What of the position in Te Awamutu district, where there are two large Government institutions that contribute not one penny piece as rates to the local bodies. The latter have to provide facilities for those institutions, and the rest of the county is penalised. He thought those Government institutions should be requii’ed to assist another Government institution, not perhaps by a monetary grant, but surely it could supply a public hospital with fresh vegetables and fruit that now is sold in competition with tradespeople who pay rates and taxes. It seemed to him that the position was quite unfair. The Mayor remarked that it seemed to him the hospital boards had spent money without much regard to economy. They merely drew the money needed by way of levies on local bodies, and the local bodies had no redress. Apparently the Government did not take steps to enforce economies until this year. Why was this not done in past years? However, the latest edict to cut down expenditure by 35 per cent appeared to be too drastic altogether. Cr Ernpson claimed that by supporting the Hospital Board, the local body was protecting itself. The Mayor said it was hardly likely the Government would restore its former basis of subsidy. Therefore the local bodies would have to pay a greater levy. Cr North said he could not be convinced that the Hospital Board had not been extravagant in the past. It was time a check was put on this. Cr Ernpson said he could not deny this.

Cr Spinley said the local council had assisted the board to recover fees due, but that did not seem to be appreciated, for lists were only sup--plied in response to definite requests. Apparently the board did not care much whether the fees are collected or not. The members of local bodies were often better informed as to a patient’s ability to pay fees.

Cr Gilbert said the Government was intent upon imposing economies. Would not the council be wiser to support the Government? That would show the board that its lavishness in the past was not appreciated. But what worried him was if the Government would not increase its subsidy who would pay the amount that the board said was necessary—the local bodies, it seemed. He did not view the situation as satisfactory, at all. Finally, it was decided to inquire from the board secretary what increased levy would be necessary from the Borough Council if the Government “ cut ” is persisted in ? A similar inquiry will be made _ from the department, and the council’s representative on the Hospital Board will be asked to state his views on the whole position.