SANATORIUM TO CLOSE

Press, Volume C, Issue 29513, 13 May 1961, Page 10

SANATORIUM TO CLOSE

Effects In Canterbury

"The Press" Special Service DUNEDIN. May 12. Ashburton district tuberculosis patients in future will be cared for by the North Canterbury Hospital Board at Cashmere, along with patients from Christchurch. ' This was announced yesterday by the chairman of the Waipiata Sanatorium Committee (Mr J. H. Cushen). Ashburton tuberculosis bed patients in the past have been accommodated at the Waipiata Sanatorium in Central Otago. Waipiata Hospital will be closed down as a sanatorium, but its ultimate future is still in doubt officially, other than it is to be taken over by another Government department. Unofficial sources say the Justice Department is interested in the property. The official announcement of the closing was made after discussions between the administrative committee and the Minister of Health (Mr Shelton'. The closing preparations will begin immediately and will be complete by August 1. In comment after the discussions. Mr Shelton said the Health Department was faced with an uneconomic sanatorium at Waipiata. The Minister expressed his appreciation for the attendance of the members of the various boards and the manner in which they had offered whole-hearted cooperation in solving a long outstanding problem.