NEW HOSPITAL SCHEME

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 63, 9 April 1943, Page 5

NEW HOSPITAL SCHEME

CONCERN IN OPOTIKI

TO " COST £00,000-£70,000

Whakatane is not alone in its) • controversy regarding- proposals* to raise substantial loans for the purpose of extending the Hospital buildings. Opotiki also "has its problems in this direction, the prestent one being a scheme for new buildings estimated tct cost between £60>000 . and 1 £70,000. The subject wasl discussed at the last meeting - of the Opotiki Hospital Board, when a letter of protest against such a heavy outlay was received from the local branch of the Farmers' Union. The letter advised the Board that -at a recent meeting of the branch, a resolution was passed protesting at the building of a new hosphtal during war time, the. excessive cost; - of -which appeared to be out of all proportion to any services given , to patients, while admitting that the present buildings were antiquated and out-of-date, the letter added, excellent medical and nursing service was gifven, and it was contended that the present hospital could : give service for a while, yet. . Chairman''s Attitude The chairman said he' thought 'that members, of the Farmers' Union • were hardly the ones to judge whe J 'ther a new hospital Avas required or not. They had been invite.fl to visit the hospital together with members of the Board to see the 'conditions for themselves, and they 'had refused. Mr Wilson said, that lie had been 1 present, at the Farmers' Union meeting -when the resolution was passed, " in fact he would say he was a prime moveri He was definitely against "building a new hopital during the war. He contended that in thref "years' time the hospital would, be -a national charge. # The chairman said that lie did not know on what authority Mr Wilson made such a statement. The board •could only deal with the Act as it effected them. To lie candid, he said, tliei*; was not sufficient accommodation at the hospital at the present, time. There, was an onus on the board, to provide accommodation. H .they failed the Department would ,-act. A Heated Discussion Mr Wilson maintained that the -rates would be excessive, and they ■should not go on with the. scheme. A heated discussion took place .-and Mr Clark suggested that it would, simplify matters! if the public were given figures to go on, on -which to base their arguments. -Other members agreed with this - suggestion in view of the many rumours: of. the cost which, i<n a*} • cases, exceeded the actual figures. Details of Expenditure The secretary then read the figures, for the benefit of the press-, --as follows: — 41. bed hospital £35,000 35 bed nurses', home .... £21,000 Laundry block etc ■ £ 7,100 Alterations to old hospital for convertion into Ma.ternity Home : £ 3,000 Total £00,400 In addition there would be a 10*12 bed tuberculosis block, the capital cost, of which would probably $>e met by the Government. A further discussion took place as, to the .advisibitlity of conferring with the two local bodies and the Farmers' ■Union. Information Available The chairman said that lie was in favour of laying the full facts ■•on the table before the local bodies; but he wished it made clear that he was prepared to go on with the job. When the board applied for the loan the two local bodies would £>e notified, and they eould, if they d.e- ---• siired,, enter their protest then. To finalise the discussion, Mr Bai:gent moved that the letter be "received.'' Seconded by Mr J. D. -Clark. • I Mr Wilson moved as an amendment that at some futur® date the two local bodies and representatives -of the Farmers' Union be asked to meet, the Hospital Board, to go over the hospital and discuss matters as to the building of the new hospital. Seconded by Mr Moody. On being put to the vote the amendment was lost and. the motion was carried./ Mr Baigent moved that further discussion on the matter be closed. I -Seconded by Mr Jcphson and car- ' juried. I