Hospital cutting cost

Bridgetown.

Barbados lone hospital  the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH)  is implementing new measure to cut the $15 million operating deficit it now faces.

Dr Dexter James, the chief executive officer of the QEH told a media conference yesterday the hospital needed $200 million a year maintain the services it provided to the public but currently received only $185 million.

He said the gap between the demand and supply of resources and between recurrent and captial resources continue to widen.

James said the gap between revenue and expenditure was a serious problem that must be addressed if the  hospital's services are not to be curtailed.

In a statement detailing the QEH finances to public and private sector interests at the Hilton Hotel,James stated the monthly operating expenses at the hospital for  were 2o11 were  payrole,$9.5 million, medical supplies,$1.4 million, drugs $1.4 million and electricity,$700,000.

"There is very little room improvement  in cost", James said.