WESTLAND HOSPITAL BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 28 April 1931, Page 2

WESTLAND HOSPITAL BOARD

MONDAY, APRiL 27. The Board met at S p.m. Present:— Messrs J. J. Breeze (Chairman), G. Davidson, A. R. Elcock, R. Mehairy, W. Jeffries, W. Evcnden, M. Keenan, H. Wells and T. W. Duff. The minutes were confirmed and cor_ respondenee, outward approved. ESTIMATES, 1931-32. From the Department of Health, Wellington, as follows: — 1 am directed by the Honourable the Minister to advise it is regretted that grave financial difficulties confronting the Dominion require amongst other measures, a substantial curtailment in taxation for hospital purposes for the current year. Apart from the anticipated heavy falling off in Consolidated Fund receipts compelling the Government seiiously to reduce the amount available for the payment of subsidies under the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act there is an equally urgent need for relief in the demands on the local ratepayers. It is believed that Hospital Boards generally recognise this urgent need and it is earnestly hoped that all will co-operate to their utmost in meeting it.

Cabinet has named a definite total sum as the maximum to be available for all subsidies payable under the Act to Hospital Boards and separate institutions during the year. Allowance lias been made, according to the best of the Department’s information, in respect of loan repayment, obligations, for capital works in progress, for subsidy on voluntary contributions for ordinary maintenance purposes and duly approved essential capital purposes, as well as for outstanding subsidies. With the present- relative contributions from local rates and the Consolidated Fund respectively (i.e. adhering to the present scale of subsidies) it is found that the total imt estimated maintenance expenditure of all Boards must not exceed £l,O-10,090 as against £1.220,000 for the year just ended.

The application of the salaries and wages reductions as advised in my letter of the 13th instant will assist in a large measure towards meeting the position hut it is dear that very substantial further savings in other directions are called for.

To meet the position it lms been found necessary to name tor each Board the maximum amount of its net estimated maintenance expenditure for the current year, such amount being based on the allocation ol the total of 421,040,000.

This allocation has been determined proportionately on the basis ol last years requirements with due allowance for cash, on hand or bank overdrafts at the beginning oi that year.

'l'lie amount named in the ease * 1 vour Board is C4./04.

I have accordingly to ask that ycur Board put in hand any necessary economy measures and so prepaie its cs timat/'s that the net estimated main-

tenance expenditure, that is the amount to bo levied for maintenance purposes on the contributory 1<.("I authorities, together with subsidy thereon, shall not exceed the amount, named.

I need hardly say that the Department recognises the imuxuainrss of namin': at this juncture Gm maximum amount of Boards require meiit.s oi the. current year. It will, however, 1 trust lie recognised that such a course is forced upon the 1) pertinent by the extent of the savings required in the i 1 1" forests of national finance and the need for early e ommiy measure?, veiny; taken by all U ards. —Received, liie Board resolved into ComnmltO to dismiss allil deal with the above q.ftefi On resuming it was reporterl that the Hoard hud decided to reduce salaries of the medical officers, the chairman and oecl'ctary by 10 pci emit., Maternity Home subsidy by £25. The nursing and domestic staff to stand as at present. It was decided to increase the patients maintc-anee charges iroia 9s to 10s per day, to date from May Ist. It was also resolved to appoint a Fees Committee consisting cf • the Chairman, Messrs Jeiiries, J)ufl, Eleock and Davidson, to meet monthly. JNWARD CORH ESRONREXCK. From Minister of Health, Wellington. acknowledging donation to Calico Research Fund and requesting eveiy care m expenditure. Receded. From Same, approving appointment of Dr. Page as medical officer at Kuimira£. —Received. From Same, in regard to Timbei Workers Union agreement.—Received. From Same stating in view of position where funds of Board came b'om it was inadvisable to make donations to earthquake Bind. Received. From Valuation Department notifying the following were the valuations of Westland Hoard district: Westland County ioo. 8!” Hokitika Borough 088,7GG Kumara Borough 24,010 .Ross Borough 19,801 Total £1,188,424 —Received; From Hospital Board Association, various circularo. —Receivcc). From Waipawq Board enquiring particular') of salary reductions and friendly societies fees. Received. From Greymonth Board in reference to Timber Workers Union payment, the Westland share being £772/11/4. Received. From Timber Workers Union in reference to payment of hospital levies, and asking approval of agreement with Greymonth Board.—Received. The Secretary reported the account against the Timber Workers for the past quarter showed a large reduction, totalling £l9O for the quarter. The action of Mr Evenden in arranging for some renovations to the Doctor’s residence at Kumara was approv. ed.

From Returning Officer, Hokitika Borough Council notifying that Messrs J. J. Breeze, T. W. Duff and E. W. Heenan had been elected as members to represent Hokitika Borough on Hospital Board.—Received. From Medical Superintendent reporting patients in hospital on Ist March totalling 25. Admitted during March 28 males. 23 females, total treated 38 males, 38 females —76 D’s_ charged cured 31 males, 18 females, relieved 1 female. Died, 1 male. 4 emalr|. Total discharged 32 males. 23 females—4s. Tn hospital on 31st March, 16 males, 15 females, total 31. Tn hospital for two months, 5 males, 5 females.—lo.—Received.

Accounts amounting to £666/14/5 were passed for payment.

The Treasurer reported receipts £975/5/7, payments £1479/2/4, credit balance £26/10/2. —Received. The next meeting was fixed for May 13th. The Board rose at 10 p.m.