HOSPITAL FUEL.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 337, 19 January 1937, Page 4

HOSPITAL FUEL.

INCREASE IN COST Recommendations Of Medical Superintendent. The 'increased fuel costs tor the Stratford hospital jwas the subject of a report by the Medical Superintendent, Dr. W. Brown, received at to-day’s meeting of the Board. After outlining several causes of th« increase, he expressed ©pin. ion that no drastic (economy could be effected with (the pre. sent system. The increase was due firstly because the boiler had been stoked for approximately three hours longer per day and had been in operation for three weeks longer than last year, stated Dr. Brown. That extension of time had been instituted by the doctor on a complaint from the patients and the matron that the hospital was at too low a temperature during the winter. Further, the cold damp weather had necessitated an increase of fuel for the drying of laundry. Also there had been a certain amount ot uneconomic use ot fuel which he regarded as ot minor importance. Dr. Brown suggested that a certain amount of saving might be accomplished by a system ot of fuel, but nevertheless he consider, ed the fuel bill for the hospital, on previous years estimates, was from 30 to 40 per cent too high for tbe size of the hospital, and in his opinion that was due to the multiple heating system in the hospital. There were no fewer than six, in addition to five open fires, exclusive ot the isolation ward. After consultation with the engineer to the Havzera hospital board Dr. Brown had arrived at the conclusion that no drastic economy could be made and efficiently maintained with the present system, and he considered that one central steam plant would Ije more economical and more efficient. The Board has requestßu tue architects, Messrs Griffiths and Syme, to supply a report in connection with the heating system.