LETTERS TO THE EDITOI

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19989, 4 November 1927, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOI

HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION Sir, —May I draw attention to figures issued by the Hospitals Division of the Health Department, which afford a comparison in regard to the administration of the hospitals of tho Doin' inion! The figures are as follow: Average number of occupied beds per diem—Auckland, 491.7; Wellington 473.7; Christchurch, 311.5; Dunedin, 271.2; Napier 208.2; Now Plymouth. 107.0; Waikato, 205.7; Wanganui' 136.8; Palmerston North, 13L2; Nelson 59.4; Southland, 124.4. Maintenance cost per occupied bed, exclusive of administration expenses—■ Auckland, £181.3; Wellington, £177.6; Christchurch, £215.2; Dunedin £212.0; Napier. £162.7; New Plymouth, £219.1; Waikato, £176.6; Wanganui, £193.9; Palmerston North, £157.5; Nelson, £173.7; Southland, £147.3. The cost per occupied bod shows rhat Wanganui is one of the four highest in this respect. Seeing that this cost hag to be paid partly by rate, in addition to subsidy, Wanganui’s position requires some explanation, more especially when it is found that the. Palmerston North Hospital, which has practically the same number of occupied beds, and is quite as efficient and wellequipped for hospital purposes, is £36.4 less per occupied bed than the Wanganui Hospital. The administration of the Waag.inni Hospital Board has been tho subject of severe criticism in the correspondence columns of the local press for several years past without any satisfactory result, for the high cost still con tinues, as shown by the figures quoted, and by the fact that We levy made on the Wanganui City Council for the current year is £lOOO more ttian for last year. There, appears to be a decided fault somewhere in the Board’s financial management and, if the members of the Board themselves cannot get at the cause, I would suggest that they make application to the Palmerston North Hospital Board for a “tip’’ economical hospital administration. searchlight’ November 3.