HOSPITABLE BOARD NEEDS MORE MONEY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3780, 17 April 1928, Page 1

HOSPITABLE BOARD NEEDS MORE MONEY.

HEAVIER MAINENANiCE LEVIES PROPHESIED.

That there will be a fairly su

stantial increase in the Palmerston Hospital maintenance levy for the new financial year was forecasted by the chairman (Sir J.G. Wilson) at Thursday’s meeting of the Board.

The chairman explained tha there were five reasons for this.

(1) Last year’s estimates were framed on a basis of an average: of 140 patients per day whereas this year’s sentence would have to be framed on a minimum basis of 180 patients—a very substantial increase. (2) Allowance will have to be made for maintenance expenditure in connection with the maternity home —probably over £IOOO for the year. (3) Allowance will have to be made for expenditure in connection with the Otaki Hospital. Dr. Valintine will discuss the matter of this hospital with the board next week when they will be in a position to know exactly what provision will have to be made. (4) A substantial increase in provision for Charitable Aid will be necessary, last year’s provision being considerably over-spent. (5) The Department was# demanding a refund of £I6OO of the Government subsidy granted. In connection with this item the board is making a protest.

The chairman added that as regards the capital levy the board would be able to keep its promise to

local bodies not to raise more than £3OOO. The capital levy would be something less this year. PATIENTS’ PEES EXCEED ESTIMATE.

“I am pleased to be able to report that the collection of patients’ fees for the year has been satisfactory, and we have exceeded our estimate by well over £500,” stated Mr. A. J. Phillips, the board’s secretary. “As members are aware, it was quite certain that when the numbers rose last winter to an average of nearly 200 our Hospital maintenance expenditure would be exceeded, and in December last I estimated that we would be overdrawn on March '3l by £IOOO, provided we could recover from patients £SOO more than we had originally estimated. Consequently, the fact that we are overdrawn only £BOO in our maintenance account at the end of the year is satisfactory, especially when it is considered that we have not held back from payment any Hospital maintenance accounts, the only item on which we are owing any amount of over £IOO is for the treatment of patients in sanatorium. '