HOSPITAL BOARD NEEDS MORE MONEY.

Shannon News, 20 April 1928, Page 2

HOSPITAL BOARD NEEDS MORE MONEY.

HEAVIER MAINTENANCE LEVIES PROPHESIED. That there will be a fairly substantial increase in the Palmerston Hospital maintenance levy for the new financial year was forecasted by the chairman (Sir J. G. Wilson) at a recent meeting of the Board. * The chairman explained that 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 estimate would have to be framed.on a minimum bais 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 Avill discuss the matter of this hospital with the board next week when they will bo in a position to know exactly what j provision will have to be made. (4) A substantial increase irf provision for Charitable Aid will be necessary, last year's provision being considerably overspent. (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 within its promise to local bodies not to raise more than £3OOO. The capital levy, wo\ild be something less this year. PATIENTS' FEES 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 arose 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 31 by £IOOO, provided we could recover from patients £SOO more than we had originally estimated. Consequently, the fact that we are over--1 drawn 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.