HC Deb 06 December 1949 vol 470 cc1689-90
20. Mr. Carmichael

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the average weekly maintenance cost, per patient, in the Glasgow infirmaries, Royal, Western and Victoria, and in the hospitals, Stabhill, Eastern and Southern General, during the years 1947 and 1949; and if he will make a statement on those cases where there have been increases.

Mr. Woodburn

With permission, I shall circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the approximate figures for 1947 and figures for 1949 which show an increase. I should make it clear that the figures are not on a comparable basis. For example, the 1949 figures include the gross cost of nurses' salaries and board and lodging, whereas in 1947 the figures available only include the net cost. There has also been a very substantial increase attributable mainly to increases in wages and in the salaries of nurses and other staff and including superannuation charges—which amount to nearly two-thirds of hospital expenditure—and to increased costs for fuel and light, drugs and food.

Mr. Carmichael

While it is not possible to ask a full supplementary question in view of the fact that only part of the answer is given, can my right hon. Friend give some indication by way of comparison with certain things which were left out in 1947? Could he attempt to examine that and let us know why a very serious increase has taken place and whether all these factors were taken into account?

Mr. Woodburn

As the hon. Gentleman is aware, there were voluntary hospitals and corporation hospitals and the methods of accounting were different. For the first time we are having these things put on a uniform basis. It is this difference which makes comparisons rather more difficult, but if the hon. Gentleman has any particular thing he would like looked into, I shall be glad to do it.

Mr. Gallacher

Is it not a fact that the cost of maintaining a patient in hospital is about three times the amount allowed to an old age pensioner for maintenance, and would it not be desirable for old age pensioners to go into hospital?

Mr. Woodburn

Old age pensioners do not necessarily want nurses.

Following are the figures:

Hospital Average Weekly Maintenance Cost per Patient
1947 1949
£ s. d. £ s. d.
Western Infirmary, Glasgow 10 0 1 13 1 11
Royal Infirmary, Glasgow 7 17 6 12 12 7
Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow 9 13 1 11 0 6
Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow 4 16 10 7 0 7
Eastern District Hospital, Glasgow 4 19 9 8 8 0
Southern General Hospital, Glasgow 4 6 4 5 16 8

NOTES:

1. The figures for 1947 are approximate figures calculated from the accounts of three voluntary hospitals and Glasgow Corporation simply by relating total cost to the number of patient days. The figures for 1949 are for the first six months of the present financial year (1st April to 30th September), and are calculated by a formula which, to facilitate comparisons, seeks to eliminate the effect of variations in the proportion of unoccupied beds.

2. The figures for 1949 include not only the cost of board and lodging provided for resident staff, but also the gross salaries of nurses, out of which cash payments in respect of board and lodging are subsequently received. The 1947 figures include only the net cost of salaries and board and lodging. The 1949 figures of cost are thus inflated by amounts which may be as much as £1 per week.