HOSPITAL BOARD

Wairarapa Daily Times, 16 September 1936, Page 4

HOSPITAL BOARD

MEETING AT MASTERTON. The monthly meeting of the Wairarapa Hospital Board AA’as commenced this morning, at Masterton, Mr H. 11. MaAvley (chairman) presiding. The Managing-Secretary reported, inter alia, on the financial position for the period Ist April to 31st August, as folloavs: —“The expenditure in excess of receipts for the period is:—(a) maintenance £2268/10/2; (b) capital £306 12/9; total, £2575/2/11, The steam heating loan account has uoav been completely disbursed. The position in regard to patients’ fees collections is as folloAVs: —Masterton Hospital, estimated collections £1979, actual collections £1864; GreytoAA’n Hospital, £959, £931; Pahiatua Hospital £540, £502; ■other hospitals and santoria £2lO, £69. At the end of the first quarter of the present financial year (30th June, 1936) fees collected were £577 IoAA r er than proportional estimate. At the 31st August this amount has been reduced to £320, and I feel sure that estimated amount for the three institutions of the board Avill be collected, but I am not so confident in regard to fees from other hospitals and santoria. With reference to maintenance expenditure, with the exception of Masterton Hospital and some of the small appropriations, disbursements are Avithin the proportional estimate for the period. So far as Masterton Hospital is concerned no adjustments have been made for laundry charges or goods sent to other institutions. The actual expenditure to date is equivalent to an annual bed cost of £165. This cost compares favourably with expenditure in preA’ious years, particularly Avhen it is realised that salaries and Avages have been restored to the 1931 standard. In connection AA r ith capital expenditure the overdraft is occasioned by portion of appropriations being paid in full and full amount of levy and subsidy not being received to date. The amount due for the period is £1346. With reference to loan of £20,000, debentures for £15,000 are being printed

and when received will be offered for sale to the general public.” The daily average of patients at Masterton hospital for last month was 124.29, as compared with 119.93 for the corresponding month last year. Pahiatua hospital: Daily average 18 (15). The number of patients in hospital at Greytown at 31st August was 10, as against 13 for previous year. Buchanan Home: 56 (52). The Matron of Masterton Hospital reported as follows:—“Miss Lambie, Director Division of Nursing, visited the hospital on 28th August, 1936. Before leaving she said she had nothing but nice remarks to make about the hospital. The Women’s National Welfare League visited the hospital twice during August. On each occasion they visited they provided afternoon tea and tea for the patients in the T.B. annexe. These kindnesses on behalf of the League are appreciated by the patients. Flowers and magazines were also left for the remaining wards of the hospital.” SALARIES AND WAGES. The recommendations! of the finance committee regarding general restoration of salaries and wages to comply with the Finance Act, 1936, covering the whole of the staffs in the board’s hospitals, were, with one or two amendments, approved. The salaries covered by the Finance Act are payable as from Ist July. Various recommendations regarding staff not covered by the statu-

tory restoration and not referred to in the recommendations will be reviewed when preparing estimates for next financial year. A recommendation that sufficient domestic and outside staffs be l -employed at all institutions to allow each member one complete day’s leave in each week was approved. The managing-secretary reported that the additional expenditure involved for the payment of increased salaries and wages, as recommended, for the remainder of the present financial year, for the hospitals under the board’s administration would amount to £630.