HUGE EXPENDITURE

Taranaki Daily News, 18 September 1940, Page 8

HUGE EXPENDITURE

£120,000 VISUALISED new hospital block new plymouth dilemma To cope with increasing demands upon the accommodation and resources of the New Plymouth hospital the Taranaki Hospital Board yesterday gave serious consideration to the possibility of proceeding with the construction of the additional block for which tentative plans were prepared some time ago, and in respect of which an expenditure of up to £120,000 was visualised. After lengthy deliberation, it was decided to arrange a conference with Dr. R. H. Shore, director of the division of hospital, Department of Health, which will probably take place either this Saturday or next week. The board was extremely loth to contemplate such a huge outlay at the present juncture v/hen all building costs were high, but it is being urged to do so by the Department of Health and, from its own experience, realises that something will shortly have to be done. Reasons for Programme. Accommodation is already taxed to the utmost, there are lengthy waiting lists of patients, no proper administration block exists, for out-patients, who are increasing in numbers, the board has no adequate provision, storage space is at a premium, and pressure is developing for a maternity annexe. Department's Attitude.

A letter was read from Dr. M. H. Watt, director-general of health, which stated that in view of the unsatisfactory position with regard to out-patient treatment racilities and as regards accommodation Cor the administrative work of the New Plymouth hospital, as well as the inadequacy of hospital accommodation t'or maternity patients, the department was seriously concerned to see that the board's building programme was not delayed. "The necessity for the new block was some time ago acknowledged by the board," stated the letter. "I desire to point out that if this work is deferred there is a great possibility that the board will sooner or later be forced into making provision of an emergency character, a procedure that is rarely satisfactory so far as the proper development of the hospital is concerned and in the long run usually involves a waste of money." The letter concluded by urging the board to press on with its scheme of hospital extension and authorise its officers to proceed at once with preliminary work. "The general op.inion is that if we defer building indefinitely costs will come down," said the chairman, Mr. P. E. Stainton. "But this might be a pious hope." The question, he said, must be- considered in the light of events since hospital benefits had been introduced. The daily average number of patients at the New Plymouth hospital had increased from about 180 to about 230. The board had to face up to the responsibility and it was not a question of what the board desired doing but what it was being forced to do. He appreciated that the larger the hospital became, the bigger became the costs. Although the board received- hospital benefits at a pate of 6s per , day,- the, actual minimum cost, exclusive of capital expenditure, was 12s a. day. Every increase made in the hospital was like a snowball, but the facts were there and they were in no way peculiar to New Plymouth alone. The | matter had to be seriously considered and there was no way of escape from facing up to the responsibility. There were scores on the hospital waiting list while the board's scheme of extending the district nursing service had eased, but not relieved, the situation.

Worst Time for Building. The point was raised by Mr. H. E. Blyde whether it was wise to embark on an extensive building scheme while building costs were at -such a high peak. He pointed out that the cost involved was about ds much as had been spent already in total capital expenditure for the entire hospital. Replying to Mr. E. Davies, Mr. Stainton stated that neither this Government nor any past Government had ever recognised hospitals as a national responsibility. After further discussion, Dr. C. • A. Taylor, medical superintendent, was asked to express an opinion. Dr. Tay>lor agreed with Dr. Watt that the hospital would be in serious difflculties during the next few years if the new block was ■ unduly delayed. With the present increase of the civiiiari sick, the very great possibility of increased accommodation being required for returning military, "air force and navy sick, who would probably need long periods in hospital, would tax the accommodation to the utmost. As far as he could- judge the board was very much behind with its building programme in comparison with other hospital boards. V Dr. Taylor stressed that a new administration block, which would be included in the building scheme, was highly desirable and during the past few years stop-gap rules had been necessary in this ride of hospital work. Outpatients were increasing, while the problem of storage space had also to be faced. At present the storage facilities were grossly inefficient. He considered that the additions were necessary for the efflcient running of the hospital. The question of whether it would be advisable to have plans drawn up so that a more definite conception of the cost involved could be obtained was considered by the board, but, after some discussion, a conference with Dr. Shore was decided on.