Wanganui Hospital Board Report on cost savings

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 14, 6 September 1983, Page 3

Wanganui Hospital Board Report on cost savings

In recent editions of the Bulletin we have reported on the posibility of a private contractor being employed by the Wanganui Hospital Board for certain hospital services. The following report has been received from the Wanganui Hospital Board. In May, 1983 the Wanganui Hospital Board requested a report to identify cost savings within its organisational structure. These savings were requested in order to fund medical positions already approved by the .Board, valued at $173,000. Savings were also required to increase the Board's capital programme which was $200,000 less than it should be for a Board the size of Wanganui. The Board requested assistance from all Department Heads and asked for a quotation from Crothall's in regard to the manage-

ment of the orderly, dietary and domestic services. The Board has decided not to accept the quotation from Crothall's. The Board appreciates the offer by Crothall's in providing a report. The report resulted from a comprehensive review of services by an experienced team of Crothall's personnel. A report was given to the Wanganui Hospital Board showing that the Board's own staff can match the savings quoted by Crothall's. The savings are able to be achieved because of the responsible attitude of staff. The loyalty of the Board's domestic staff to the Board has been shown by their participation in the cost-saving exercise. All parties appear to be working to a common goal. The report reviewed all Departments and showed that savings can be made over a period of three years. Targets have been set by the

Board which the Board will regularly review. The money figures supplied to the Board are being treated as in-house figures for the Board's staff. Because of the savings that can be achieved the following appointments for medical staff positions have been authorised by the Board: 2nd Psychiatrist; Geriatrician; 3rd Registrar; 2nd Paediatrician. These appointments will increase the services offered by the Board to the region it covers. The Board resolved that its Executive staff be thanked for compiling the report which will assist the Board to operate more efficiently and to provide better value for money. Reviews such as the one undertaken will be on-going in future in order for the Board to become as efficient as possible.