HOSPITAL EXPENDITURE.

Shannon News, 6 September 1927, Page 4

HOSPITAL EXPENDITURE.

TRIMMING THE ESTIMATES. Interesting references to the hospital expenditure are made by the DirectorGeneral of Health (Dr. T. H. A. Valin - tine) in his annual report to Parliament. "During- the past year," said Dr. Valintinc, "I have been urging on hospital boards the need for economy, especially in capital expenditure, and in one way and another I have been' able to put off expenditure on new buildings to the extent of some £250.000. At first sight it was disappointing, thfffcfore, to notice in our hospital estimates that though there is a decrease in capital requirements, yet the total requirements of hospital boards show an increase' and the resulting subsidy has increased by some £.150.000: but reflection shows that that expenditure was for sums to which the Department had been committed for the last two or three years, which commitment was principally due to the capital expenditure in our four chief hospitals. Next year's estimates should show a marked reduction in capital expenditure. During the year plans were approved fur the erection of addition or alteration to public hospital buildings estimated to cost £lB3/885, being a decrease of £341,356 on the previous year. A still further reduction in this direction is anticipated during the coming year as a great deal of work which was overdue has now been overtaken."