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length of stay in hospital are in some measure a reflection of the intensity of work
at the hospital and of the demands upon the staff, which in turn are likely to affect
the numbers of such staff. The figures relating to the average length of stay in
hospital (column 7) become, obviously, of paramount importance when the object is
to ascertain, not the daily cost of treatment per patient, but the average cost of
treating a patient to completion. It is clear, for example, that the cost of treating
each individual patient to completion at a hospital where the average length of stay
is considerably above the general average, though the daily cost is comparatively
low, may be substantially greater than at a hospital where the average length of
stay is low, but the daily cost high.
Attention may here be drawn to the necessity for distinguishing between a
hospital in group G.I. and another of the same name in group G.II. In all such
cases the latter hospital adjoins or is within the same curtilage as the acute hospital
of the same name in Group G.I. and is linked with it for certain services, but is in
general only adapted for the treatment of chronic and similar cases.
The following tables are provided with a series of explanatory notes, and may
be compared with the tables published in respect of voluntary hospitals in the annual
reports of the King Edward's Hospital Fund. It will be seen, however, that the
tables given in this report are in a more detailed form than those appearing in the
King Edward's Hospital Fund report. For example, in the Council's tables the
general head of " provisions " is divided between patients' provisions and staff
rations ; salaries and wages and domestic supplies are in each case allocated to
appropriate sub-heads, while as regards the main fuel-consuming services, those
such as heating and lighting which are dependent upon the character and extent of
the buildings, are clearly distinguished from the laundry, which is largely dependent
upon the numbers of staff and patients. Regard should therefore be had to the
proper grouping of the several sub-heads relating to the London County Council
hospitals when comparisons are being made with the voluntary hospitals' tables.
Some sub-heads, such as " funerals " and " patients' clothing," necessarily have no
counterpart in voluntary hospital practice, while certain sub-heads which are found
in connection with voluntary hospitals have no counterpart in the Council's system,
e.g., cost of appeals for funds.
For the purposes of more accurate comparison between years the tables
include at the foot a statement as to the previous year's percentage occupation, in
addition to the costs per " occupied bed " for that year, and as a guide in the appreciation
of the varying staff costs there is shown at the head of each column the
numbers and the proportions to bed establishment of the two main classes of staff.
Sub-heads of
tables
The following observations are made in explanation of certain of the sub-heads
adopted by the Council and what they comprise:—
Salaries and wages.—This sub-head includes the actual cash payments
made to the section of the staff named, whether they live in or out of the
hospital. In the case of the former the costs of rations and laundry appear
under the appropriate heads, but in the case of the latter the payment of
allowances in lieu of board, lodging, etc., is included as part of their cash
remuneration. In the tables these allowances are shown for convenience under
a separate sub-head ("non-residential allowances"). Hospitals showing a
higher cost under this head may be expected to show lower costs under the
heads of rations, laundry, etc.
With regard to adjustments of pay on regrading, see page 1.
The term "workrooms" indicates needlerooms, tailors' shops and
similar services, but does not include occupational or training workshops.
"Miscellaneous" includes such officers as chaplains, organists, instructors
and a few special appointments, together with such staff as motor
drivers who are employed only at certain hospitals.
Surgery and dispensary.—Surgical equipment, appliances and repairs.—
This sub-head includes all purchases for replacement of, and additions to,
surgical equipment, instruments and appliances which are held as inventory
stock.