HOSPITAL COSTS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 86, 14 June 1946, Page 5

HOSPITAL COSTS

CONCERN IN WAIKATO HEAVY INCREASES INCURRED Writing the Whakatane Hospital Board yesterday, the secretary of the Waikato Board stated that his Board’s estimates • for 1946-47 indicated an increase in new capital and maintenance requirements of 87.4 per cent, as compared with the previous year whilst the local levy on the contributing authorities showed an increase of 73.1 per cent. It was stated further that that the increase in thg rate of the contributory local authorities per £ on the rateable capital value works as follows: — 1946-47 0.653 d 1945-46* 0.381 d Increase 0.272 d The Government subsidy showed an increase of 103 per cent. The following motions were passed: That the Board objects to the present system of Hospital rating, and that the question of relief from the Government be pursued by the Board as it was of the opinion that this was a national matter. That the Board has a duty to perform to the public in » providing adequate hospital facilities and has no option but to adopt the estimates. That the contributing local orities and Members of Parliament in the Board’s district be advised of the position, and also that other Hospital Boards in the Dominion be advised of the Board’s resolution requesting them also to notify their contributing local authorities accordingly. The local Board decided to give the matter due publicity through the press.