THE MAIN ITEMS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 98, 28 April 1939, Page 8

THE MAIN ITEMS

COLLECTIONS OF FEES EXPENDITURE EXPLAINED INCREASING DEMAND FOR HOSPITAL TREATMENT “During the year just closed th? demand for hospital treatment has shown a further increase, the average number of patients in Wanganui Hospital being 163.4, as against 148.9 the previous year.” Mr. Kerby reported. “Some idea of the rapid increase in the daily average number of patients in hospital may be gained from tnc following figures in respect of Wanganui Hospital—Average daily number of occupied beds: 1932-33, 116; 1933-34, 118.1; 1934-35, 122; 1935-33. 127.3; 1936-37, 131.6; 1937-38, 148.9; 1938-39, 163.4. Accommodation Severely Taxed, . “At several times during the yea the available accommodation at Wanganui Hospital has been severely taxed, the highest number of pmlcnU in hospital at any one time being 178 on May 18. 1938, and September 5. 1938. When it Ls realise,, that, apar! from the new isolation block, we hive only 182 beds available (im iuding basinettes in children's ward) it will be readily seen that the instilmn-n has, at times, practically no avaikicL-acc..-i 0... I■/ any major emergency. “It was hoped that before the presentation of these estimates we would have received some definite statement concerning the introduction of Fart 3 of the Social Security Act, 1938, ard some definite indication of the actual scope of the benefits to be provided as well as the daily rate payable in respect of patients treated. “The scheme when finalised and actually put into operation will have many repercussions which, at this stage, it would be practically impossible to forecast. However, it is safe j to assume that any extra revenue received by hospital boards, through] the increased collection under the I Social Security Act, will be offset by a i corresponding (if not greater) in- ' crease in expenditure. Payments By Patients. A sum of £16,264 was collected | from patients last year, this amount being £3264 more than was estimated I The estimate for the current year is , £15,000. From the inmates of th-; Jubilee Home the board collected j £2547, which was £147 more than I estimated. A sum of £2500 is esti- j mated for the current year. This item , represents pensions collected from inmates and is governed entirely by the number of patients in the home. It may be affected by the Social Security Act, but, in the meantime, has been assessed on the same basis as last year. Wanganui Hospital Maintenance. Last year the board had to spend £43,410 on maintenance of the Wanganui Hospital, and it estimates that £47,200 will be required during the current year. The increase will be necessary because of rising wages ana salaries brought about by awards, and rising prices of foodstuffs. It was reported to the board, to emphasise the i effect of increasing prices for food- j stuffs, that a rise of 2d a lb. for butter would involve an additional expenditure of £9O a year in that one item alone. Surgery and Dispensary. To maintain the hospital surgery I and dispensary at Wanganui costs!

more than £lOOO. Last year the actual expenditure was £4055. This year the I board anticipates requiring £4200. An 'industrial award now governs the ‘ dispensary staff and it has brought about an increase in salary payable | to the apprentice. Tremendous growth of X-ray work at the hospital is reflected in the increased expenditure lon X-ray films. Last year's expediture i on this, £552, is expected to be considerably more this year. Domestic Requirements. i To maintain the domestic side of the Wanganui Hospital the board had to find £6127 yast year, and estimates I that £6900 will be required for the current year. The proposal to change ■ all nurses’ and sisters’ uniforms will i require extra expenditure of £7OO. Heat and light, however, account for I the largest item in the expenditure I on the domestic side of the hospital, i Steam coal required £1904, electricity I £670, and gas £240. Provision of heat . and lighting is directly affected by the 1 general weather conditions, a long • winter being reflected in an increased i demand for these comforts. Repairs to Buildings I Maintenance and repairs to build- • ings is estimated to require £3500. | Expenditure on grounds last year was £1452 and the estimate is £l5OO for ' the current year. Taihape Hospital j Maintenance of the Taihape Hospital last year cost £4377 and £4BOO has been estimated to cover the expenditure for the current year. Because of constant changes in the personnel of the staff it has been difficult to accurately estimate salary requirements, but the present staff would require £3OOO. In view of the temporary nature of the appointments, however, £2750 has been estimated. The estimates for Taihape would be hopelessly inadequate, Mr. Kerby has I pointed out, if the operation of the I Social Security Act results in any i large increase in the number of pa- | tients treated. Raetihi Hospital ' At Raetihi a sum of £3804 was ] spent on maintenance last year. An | amount of £4200 will be required for • the current year. The effect of the I cold winter was shown in an increase iof £206 for heat and light. This year | it has been necessary to provide for ! a relieving matron for seven months I while Miss Anderson is absent attencli ing a post-graduate course. This will i require £lO6 additional expenditure. . Increased wages payable under the I Domestic Workers’ Award account for • the remainder of the additional sum required for the current year. Jessie Hope Gibbons Home Provision of increased maternity benefits by the State will have an I effect on the Jessie Hope Gibbons j Maternity Home. If free maternity sendee is initiated, then the number |of beds will greatly increase. Last year £2650 was spent on maintenance of the home and, basing his estimate on existing conditions, Mr. Kerby states that £2850 will be required this year, wages being responsible for the increase, due directly to the Domestic Workers’ Award Jubilee Home Last year the Jubilee Home required £3779 for maintenance. This year £3BOO was budgeted for in the first instance, but Mr. Kerby drew attention to a sum of £565 from the Alexander bequest made in 1917. It was bequeathed to the home and, ;

from the wording of the bequest it would appear that the money could be used on general maintenance. The board agreed to utilise the money as suggested, thus reducing the proposed estimate for the current year from £3BOO to £3235. District Nursing ~,..For district nursing (Wanganui, Marton and Ohakune), the board has estimated that £1370 will be required this year. Last year the amount was £1195. Four nurses are employed and the board paid tribute to the work they are doing. Charitable Aid Mr. Kerby estimated that £4OOO would be required for charitable aid this year as against £4859 last. Mr. A. S. Coleman pointed out that with increasing pensions under the social security scheme, the amount should be less. As a compromise between a proposal to reduce the amount to £3OOO or leave it at £4OOO, the board set the estimate at £3500. St. John Ambulance The board passed £750 as the grant to the St. John Ambulance for the current year. Recent industrial legislation has necessitated an addition to the ambulance staff and last year the board granted an increased subsidy of £l5O. The actual expenditure by the board on this item last year was • £BOO ‘ i