HOSPITAL COSTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 June 1942, Page 4

HOSPITAL COSTS

— HIGHER OUTLAY ON WAGES & MATERIALS PROTESTS BY LOCAL BODIES. PROPOSED CONFERENCE. “Fifty per cent of our outlay goes in wages,” observed Mr J. F. Thompson, speaking at today’s meeting of the Wairarapa Hospital Board, after a lengthy letter from the Mauriceville County Council had been read, protesting against the present system of hospital rating and urging that the cost should be met out of the Social Security Fund. “The increased cost of things tells its tale,” said the chairman, Mr H. H. Mawley. Mrs J. Robertson said that when she came on the board it had practically no medical staff. Now they had an efficiently worked hospital, able to give patients good treatment. The Managing-Secretary, Mr Norman Lee, in reply to a point raised by a member, said the increased .levy on boroughs and counties alike during the past ten years, was about three times what it was ten years ago. He quoted figures confirming that statement. The total amount paid in wages ten years ago was £10,537 for a staff of 123 and for 1941-42 it was £40,781 for a staff of 259. It was stated that a copy of the Mauriceville County Council’s, letter had been sent to the authorities concerned. The board also agreed to a Waikato County Council proposal to hold a conference of county, borough and hospital board representatives to discuss the matter of hospital rating.