NOT OBSOLETE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 72, 10 May 1946, Page 5

NOT OBSOLETE

THE MOTOR AMBULANCE HOSPITAL BOARD DISCUSSION A somewhat unusual point of discussion occurred at the meeting of the Whakatane Hospital Board yesterday when a recommendation from the Medical Superintendent and the St. John Ambulance Association requested slight additions to the motor ambulance. Though the suggestion was finally adopted, it was not until considerable argument had been exchanged on the question of whether or not the present ambulance should be replaced by a more up to date machine estimated to cost £llOO.

Mr Fred Burt who had recently investigated the whole subject in Auckland, declared that by comparison with the Auckland vehicles, the Whakatane Ambulance was completely obsolete. It should be replaced, he said by a wider bodied vehicle with up-to-date appurtenances. The price was £llOO, but he was firmly of the opinion that this should not come from the Board but rather from the district as a whole by voluntary subscription. He was supported by. Mr McGougan who declared that the present ambulance should be disposed of to a smaller district.

Mr Suckling: I am not satisfied that a new ambulance is needed at this juncture. We have yet to hear the expert opinion of the doctor and the St. John Ambulance officers. He contended that the small expenditure of £l4 to effect the desired improvements should be authorised. Dr. Dawson explained that all that was needed was the installation of a bucket seat to replace the existing hard flap which ran the whole length of one side. The alteration would make for much easier access and-vcomfjprt for the attendant, thought'would limit the accommodation to only two patients, which after all was practically all that was required for this district. Mr McGougan agreed that the suggestion was a good one which he had not understood previously.

Mr Caulfield expressed amazement that an ambulance which was purchased only a few years ago after considerable investigation, should now be found unsuitable. Mr Burt: You’ll agree with me Doctor that the thing is obsolete and should be replaced by a better vehicle?

Dr. Dawson: Not at all. The ambulance is still in sound condition and all the ambulance drivers want is a small alteration for their benefit. If the Board refuses, it is quite likely that they will point out that, they are doing the work for nothing and will not feel very inclined to oblige in this direction much longer. On the motion of Mr Mitchell it was unanimously decided to agree to the request of the St. John Ambulance and to authorise the alterations immediately.