Evening star., 1951-09-26
Budget Request
For Hospitals
Cut S2.6 Million
Sum includes Funds
To Operate z New
GulIinqer Services

al Q AA1AOdC0 III GAIC %, t1O,0UO IlOS"
Ipital budget for the fiscal year
1858.
Contrary to the new budgets
submitted by most District agen-
cies, the fund request for the hos
pitfalls is $2,675,434 less than the
amount asked last year.
This is explained by the fact
that no major construction is
planned. Furthermore, only half
the number of new jobs asked
last year are included in the years
budget requests.
The estimate of funds necessary
to operate Gallinger, Glenn Dale
Sanatorium and the Upshur
Street tuberculosis Hospital was
released by the Commissioners to-
day.
Above Appropriations.
Although lower than the amount
requested last year, the new
budget asks $2,224, 706 more than
Congress actually appropriated to
run the hospitals during the fis-
cal year 1852.
The requested appropriation for
lGallinger would provide 191 new
Jobs at the municipal hospital. A
chief medical officer and Is addi-
tional nurses, therapists and clerks
are asked to staff the hospitals
new physical, medicine and re-
habilitation program.
The project, already under way,
Is designed to rehabilitate patients
who might otherwise remain in
the hospital and be public charges
indefinitely. Doctors and techni-
clans paid by the Public Health
Service now operate the program
on a temporary basis.
The hospitals projected null
Itiple screening program, under
which indigents would be given
complete physical examinations
for chronic diseases, needs four
medical technicians, an X-ray
Itechnician and two clerks. accord
ing to the budget requests.
Staff for Children Asked.
Authorization also is asked for
"a sufficient staff to operate fully
the hospitals new So million Grip
Ipled children's and pediatrics
building. The building was de-
signed so the two types of pa
Itients would occupy separate
wings. The go child patients now
iare kept, together in one wing,
since there are no funds to hire
the necessary nurses and other
workers to staff the 170-bed build
ing.
For the second year, officials
are asking funds to make struc-
tural changes in the phychiatric
buildings. The construction, to
provide more protection for the
patients and public, were recon-
mended by Health and Fire De-
partment officials after a survey
more than a year ago. Estimated
cost is $280,o00.
Cost of installing a fire alarm
sySter in the surgical building has
risen from $10,500 to $12,500 since
the project 1rst was requested last
year.
An appropriation of $4,000 was
asked to remodel the old crippled
children's building. one of the
Oldest hospital buildings in the
city, into dormitory for resident
doctors and interns.
Officials estimate it will take
S6,157 900 to operate the hospital
and the Upshur Street Hospital,
a convalescent center, for the
coming year. An additional OUT
lay $4,000 was asked for the va
rious construction projects.
$S,O39,406 for Glenn Dale.
A total of $685. ,4O6 was asked
to operate Glenn Dale Sanatorium
and build a utility building and
additional living quarters for doc
tors and key personnel.
In the request for $4,000 for
a utility house, officials pointed
out there is no place to serve as
headquarters for the 81 main
tenance workers. Often, it was
said, repair or painting of beds
must be done in hospital corridors
because there is no repair shop.
In request for a similar building
last year. the cost estimate was
$4,000 lower.
Construction of SITS 900 apart
ment unit was asked because of a
severe housing shortage at the
Maryland institution. Officials re-
peatedly have cited the shortage
as the main stumbling block in
recruiting sufficient doctors to
staff the hospital.