HOSPITAL NEEDED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 120, 7 February 1940, Page 5

HOSPITAL NEEDED

OPINION OF THE "BOARD

PRESENT BUILDING INADEQUATE

The seriousness of the position which lias arisen at the Qpotiki Hospital through the steady increase of patients was revealed at Friday's meeting of the Opotiki Hospital Board. The chairman, Mr S. Maxwell said that there were 30 patients in the hospital one day. He quoted figures which showed that the daily average number of patients N had steadily increased from 15.4 in April last to 23.1 for January. 1940. The nurses' accommodation was also crowded, eleven nurses sharing five rooms. Mr Baigent said that the time was not far distant when the board would have to review the whole position. Either a new hospital would haA*e to be built or the present building would have to be renovated. Mr Baigent suggested asking the architect to visit Opotiki. Architect Invited to Attend. The chairman agreed with Mr Baigenl's views, stating that the present building was not a suitable one to build on Lo. It might be better to convert the present building into a maternity annexe. It would be necessary to go into the whole position with the architect. The }}osition must be faced up to. Mr Neilson considered the suggestion, a good one and he did not think the extensions practicable. The chairman said that the extensions would only be a waslc of ratepayers' money. The position was not so acute until the accommodation became taxed. As the matter was an urgent one the architect should be asked to come to Opotiki and go into the position with the board. A letter from the Director-Gen-eral of Health, enquiring what provision was being made for infectious eases was then considered, and it was decided to reply, asking that the architect be requested to visit Opotiki and go into the matter fully with the board.