HOSPITAL EXPENDITURE

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3894, 12 January 1929, Page 3

HOSPITAL EXPENDITURE

ESTIMATES EXCEEDED

NCREASE IN PATIENTS AND CHARITABLE RELIEF.

■Speaking at the Hospital Board meeting on Thursday, the chairman pointed out that the amount collected in patients’ fees Avas a feAV pounds over the estimate. Theie was a big discrepancy, hoAVever, in the actual maintenance expenditure and the estimate. The increase in the cost of running the institution was due almost solely to the laige increase in the number of .patients. During Christmas 1927, there had been 118 patients, Avhile for Christmas 1928, there Qere no less than IGB in hospital —an increase of 50. It seemed that in framing next year’s estimates, a basis of 200 patients would have to he adopted. “Wje are now £3,000 over expended,” commented the chairman, “but it has been unavoidable. The accounts have been carefully scrutinised.” The Board Avas also £7OO to the

had for the past nine months iit-the matter of charitable aid, 1m said, and at the end of the year was

likely to be £SOO over , the estimate. ‘The general public had taken a share of the burden of unemployed but the Hospital Board bore the brunt. The Government had given the four cities grants to meet unemployment and lie thought Palmerston North might consider making an application for similar help. “Great care has been taken in the collection of accounts,” concluded the chairman, “and much more than the public think.” Mr. J. K. Hornblow mentioned that the Government grant to various centres for unemployment relief had been £2OOO.

Mr. Hornblow considered there would be no harm in bringing the matter before the Minister of Health during his visit to Palmerston North next week. The secretary could prepare a statement showing the cost of unemployment relief to the district and if the Board only got hack its proportion it would be acceptable. There had been a great deal of unemployment in the district and if the Government would not help, the Board had no alternative but to pass the cost on to the ratepayers.

Mr Monk said the proper people to make application to the Government were the municipal authorities and not a hospital board. The £2OOO granted' the 'four centres was ■for relief of unemployment ,by employing the workless. The men had to work for their money. However, the Minister should be advised of the seriousness of the cost of charitable said in the district. Mr. Hornblow stated in reply that while the responsibility might rest with the municipalities and cities, nevertheless the late Prime Minister had made it clear that the unemployed should make applications for relief to Charitable Aid Boards and thousands of pounds had been paid out by Hospital Boards, apart from relief works. It was decided to (bring the matter under the notice of the Minister.