STAFF ACCOMMODATION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 79, 12 September 1947, Page 5

STAFF ACCOMMODATION

PROBLEM FOR HOSPITAL DISCUSSION BY BOARD A paragraph in the Storemanporter’s report provided the Whakatane Hospital Board yesterday with a lengthy discussion on the problem of staff accommodation, and it was finally agreed to empower the Chairman and Secretary to act at once in securing improved alternative accommodation for the two porters living on the premises. The subject embraced the larger proposition of the major building proposal which is required by the Health Department.

The chairman (Mr J. Mullins) .-.said he realised the porters quarters were far from ideal but he had hoped to see them replaced by the huts now used by the domestic staff when that personnel had been absorbed into the main institution. The position was very acute and even if the Board was able to secure sufficient staff to open the Children’s Ward, he failed to see how the additional nurses could be accommodated. Major Scheme Again “The position again brings up the question of accommodation as recommended by the Department,” said Mr Mullins. “In the last report it was required of us that we make provision'for 50 additional beds for the nursing staff and fifteen for the domestics. I believe that some of the nursing staff anticipated in that figure would be attached to the proposed Chest Block which the Government anticipated building here, but nevertheless it would be a major scheme and judging from the» costs in Wellington for a similar building it would run out at over £IOOO per bed. The Tauranga Board however has recently erected a Nurses’ home and I understand that the cost of that was approximately . £SOO per bed.” Altered Circumstances Mr Mullins added that he realised most of the present members came on to the Board pledged to the cutting down of expenses. They had fulfilled this pledge as much as possible. Now however in view of the changed circumstances of taxation and the fact that a stringent control was kept upon all public buildings by the Government he felt that the whole matter could be considered. *

“I don’t think any member of the Board is satisfied with the conditions .obtaining for the porters accommodation,” said Mr McGougan, ‘but the point is that. we have no other alternative. I agree/that we have to effect some improvement for the problem is growing more and more, and though the tax is we don’t know what’s going to happen next. The general taxpayer is not very keen on seeing expensive buildings going up and I think we should give the matter a lot more consideration before going in for a major 'scheme.” Wooden Structures Suggested Mr Caulfield: Why not change the present rooms, which are described as being cold and damp, for wooden hutments. They could at least be a temporary improvement. Mr Buddie said he was going to take a practical view of 'the whole position. All members were agreed that they would not like to live under the same conditions themselves and therefore it behoved the Board "to make immediate improvements and ho moved that the chairman and secretary be empowered to act in this connection. It would be a long time before larger alterations would be made and it was imperative to do the job.

Responsibility Of Board “Although, the old Board was subjected to a lot of criticism when the ward was built,” added. Mr Buddie, “it is generally agreed now that the new women’s ward was a far-sighted policy and a credit to the Board. While we have patients increasing we must expect to have staff increases, and although its all very well to say its a national thing to erect hospitals, the Board has got to do its job of providing accom- « modation for the sick and I fail to see how we can avoid it.” Mr McGougan seconded Mr Bud- ' die’s motion.

Mr Suckling said he also felt strongly about the porters accommodation, and considered it not worthy of the Board. There was a very grave obligation on them to effect an improvement. The motion was carried unani--mously. «