HOSPITAL COSTS INCREASED

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20786, 22 April 1939, Page 6

HOSPITAL COSTS INCREASED

In keeping with the general trend throughout the country, the Waikato Hospital Board has found it necessary to call upon the contributing local authorities for an increase of £18,311 m levies for the current financial year. The greater part of the increase is accounted for by a deficit in the past year of £14,640, which becomes the first item on the estimates for the current year. Otherwise the estimates are based on essentials which will only maintain the present standards of the institution. The increase will not be welcomed by the ratepayers of the constituent local bodies, hut they at least have the consolation that he costs of the Waikato Hospital still compare more than favourably with those of most other comparable institutions. The deficit on last year's operations and the need for increased levies are accounted for by the fact that last year the number of occupied beds increased from 370 to 384.1 a day, and that all costs advanced, including w a es and salaries (£8000). Collection of patients fees was £iOJ le s than in the previous year. Revaluations of land in tte . is area have had a marked effect on the individual levies, entailing substan tial increases in some areas and reductions in others. Concern at the prospect of continued advances in hospital costs in subsequent years will be tempered to sojne extent by the institution of social security, though that is still admittedly an uncertain quantity The Minister has indicated that the payment fixed for the treatment of patients will return a greater sum than is now collecte in patients’ fees, but even the Government does not yet know what thepayment will he. In the meantime the hospital hoaids can o y proceed as usual. The financial position will be adjusted one way or another if and when the Government is able to reach on ngreeme with the medical profession and inaugurate the hospital bene i s under the social security scheme.