Hospital’s costly request
It seems little has changed in the past 130-plus years when it comes to the Timaru Hospital wanting new facilities.
While there is a striking difference in the numbers it deals with today, it seems Timaru residents had to stump up with some cash for improved facilities as far back at 1878.
South Canterbury residents have been generous when fundraising efforts were made for the first CT scanner and a mammography unit, and now they have come up with more than $2.4 million for an MRI scanner.
The first CT scanner, installed more than 10 years ago, is at the end of its life and is being replaced with hospital board funds.
A hospital report for the financial year of 1878-79 shows the community had to come to the hospital’s aid to find £700 if the Provincial Government was to entertain the idea of a new £1400 fever ward.
Timaru, August 6th, 1878
The Colonial Secretary, Wellington: ‘‘Sir, I had the honour of replying by wire this morning to your telegram re estimates for Timaru Hospital for the ensuing year.
‘‘The wards require some very necessary repairs, and also repainting. Some have not been done for eight years. The estimated cost is £200. I have further to point out the urgent necessity of replacing the present old fever ward by another.
‘‘The present fever ward was run up in a time of severe emergency, when it was imperative to isolate patients suffering from typhoid fever from the main building. The construction is of wood and is no longer fit for use in severe weather. A concrete building to replace this and to correspond with the main building would be a further expense of, say £1400, which I hope the government will favourably consider.
‘‘The estimates for the Timaru Hospital for the year 1878 to 1879 are as follows: Salaries Drugs/surgical appliances Rations, Fuel, etc Miscellaneous Furniture, bedding, etc Repairs/painting of wards New fever ward urgently wanted Total T W Hall Chairman of Hospital £600 £260 £1650 £200 £100 £200 £1400 £4470
Commissioners’’
August 19, 1978
The reply from the Colonial Secretary was:
‘‘Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th, pointing out the necessity for a new fever ward being erected, the cost of which is estimated at £1400. In reply, I am directed by the Colonial Secretary to inform you that it will depend on the general hospital funding vote of the legislature whether or not the Government can give any assistance to increase the building. At present they propose to defray half the cost of maintenance.
The expense of the Timaru Hospital is very large compared with larger hospitals, but if the locality defrays half the cost it will be assumed that the expenditure is found necessary. G S Cooper T W Hall Esq Chairman of Hospital missioner, Timaru’’
A letter was read from the Steward, reporting himself as being invalided by bronchitis.
The Timaru Hospital returns for the month were read as follows: Patients under treatment at date of last return – males 15, females four, total 19; admitted during the month – males 17, females four, total 21; cured – males 17, females three, total 20; dead male one; total discharges 21; remaining under treatment – males 14, females five, total 19.
Accounts amounting £97 5s 2d for contingencies, and £48 6s 8d for salaries were passed for payment and the meeting then terminated.
Com-
It is not known if the fever ward went ahead as typhoid began to reduce with better public sanitation.
March 27, 2011
The average number of people treated and discharged at the hospital each month: 707.
The average number of people who go to the emergency department each month: 1544.
Total hospital budget this year: $85 million; total District Health Board budget (including hospital): $162m.
Amount spent on wages and salaries across the DHB last year: $49.3m.
Amount spent on new clinical equipment last year $1.4m.
Repairs and maintenance to hospital building last year: $271,000.