Sixth report from the Select Committee on Estimates : together with the minutes of evidence taken before sub-committee D and appendices, session 1956-1957: Running costs of hospitals.

  • Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Select Committee on Estimates
Date:
[1957]
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Sixth report from the Select Committee on Estimates : together with the minutes of evidence taken before sub-committee D and appendices, session 1956-1957: Running costs of hospitals. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    82/448 page 60
    19 February, 1957.] [Continued. (c) The publication quarterly to all Management Committees of statements of provisions costs, showing the cost per capita for every hospital in the region. (d) Discussions between the Board and Management Committees whose costs either generally or in relation to any particular hospital appear to be unduly high comparatively. (e) Very close scrutiny of all applications from Management Committees for approval to the engagement of additional staff and the determination of establishments. In judging these applications the ‘Board have special regard to the general staffing position of the group in comparison with that of other groups and of the regional average. (f) Initiating the centralisation of group services, such as laundries, transport, maintenance departments, etc.; and encouraging the introduction of labour- Saving devices. (g) Close examination by the Board’s Finance Committee of the monthly state- ments from the Management Committees showing the progress of their expenditure, and the taking of action thereon in appropriate cases. (h) Taking appropriate action with Management Committees in relation to matters arising out of Audit reports or out of applications from the Committees for Board approval to the writing-off of losses, etc. (i) Examination, in consultation with the Board’s Medical Advisory Panel (an all-professional body) of the rising costs of drugs and dressings. (j) For several years the Board have been developing standards for different types of accommodation and equipment, e.g. Operating Theatres, Ward Units, X-ray Departments, Furniture and furnishings. Their sole aim is to secure efficiency without extravagance on the basis that the standards of quality which are requisite and proper in one hospital are also requisite and proper in another without imposing uniformity of design or appearance. (k) For some years the Board have operated a system of control over Hospital Management Committee advertisements for Medical and Nursing staffs. The control is aimed at minimising unproductive advertising of which the Board had abundant evidence in the early years. It is difficult to be precise about savings but they are estimated to be between £5,000 and £7,000 a year. (See a further reference to advertising costs in paragraph (9).) (1) Significant savings can be achieved by Hospital Management Committees pooling their requirements, for contract purposes, of goods and com- modities in common use. A _ highly successful scheme has been in operation in the Manchester region since 1954. (3) Management Committee Estimates : Sub-heads The following is the standard form, devised by the Ministry of Health, in which Management Committees prepare and submit their Estimates— Approved Sub-heads Gross salaries and wages and employers’ contributions to National Insurance and Superannuation. (a) Medical (Category B). (b) Nursing (Category C). (c) Administrative and Clerical. (dq) Works and Maintenance (i) Gardeners and Stokers. Gi) Others. (e) Other Staff (Category D except Works and Maintenance).
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