HOSPITAL POLICY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 193, 13 May 1944, Page 8

HOSPITAL POLICY

Achievements And Plans CASE FOR CITIZENS’ BOARD

The last three years had seen a Citizens-controlled hospital board and. despite war difficulties, the stage was bovv within accomplishment where the n ellington Hospital would be free for the exclusive use of acute medical aud surgical cases, said Cr. W. J. Gaudin. wheu he put the case for Citizens control to electors at Thorndon. It was common •knowledge that in the past six years the demands on the hospital had doubled, lue causes were not the board’s business; its function was to provide the accommodation. Where the cost should come from was a matter for Parliamentary decision, and there was ample opportunity to. test it in the House or at a general, election. The previous board had been Labourcontrolled by one vote. For two-thirds of its term of office it was not seriously beset by war difficulties, if at all. It made plans to meet the conditions created by the social security legislation of its own Government —the merits of such a scheme he was not contesting. But. affected by the difficulties’of the 1941-44 Citizens’ board, it got little past the p.ans stage. One of its projects, a Centennial block, had to be abandoned after thousands of pounds had been spent in architects’ fees and . other preliminary costs. It started the Hutt hospital but the present board, in face of most disheartening difficulties, had seen the job through. Imo emergency wards were opened there three weeks ago. The balance, of accommodation would be available within 1- months, making a total of 410 beds. The hospital rate certainly had peen increased, but the Citizens’ board claimed that it had ben able to prevent a rise to unbearable heights. For instance, in lieu of the previous board s am , bl h°" s . ce “- tennial block it had provided 210 beds, plus tuberculosis and urological out patient accommodation, and a preliminary training school. The centennial block, for twice the cost, was to have provided 242 beds, theatre block, administiative offices, admission find casualty departments. Of the 210-bed block. 180 beds would be available soon. The present board had selected and bought a site for a tuberculosis and orthopaedic hospital at Paekakanki.l Ibe la was taken over temporarily for military purposes. The use of Silverstream hospital would now allow the board to defer building till men and materials were work had begun on two four-story blocks for a new nurses home, so planned that the Piles sunk tor the original seven-story block begun by the previous board (which the present board abandoned for earthquake precaution reasons) would be used for one block. In fairness, he would say that Labour members of the present board nad given every assistance to the plans to provide maximum demand accommodation. The superintendent-in-chief had been authorized to plan for improved accommodation for the outpatient department staff and sanitary services (fever hospital). heating (Ewart hospital), children’s hospital by remodelling and enlarging. Other matters decided, some already begun, were an adequate emergency water supply, Macarthv Home additions laundry improvements, eye ward and plaster block extensions completion, new dinin - room, nurses’ home, Wellington. completion of sun-deck and schoolroom, children’s hospital, occupational therapy centre, wing for all out-patient services a the Hutt, domestic staff quarters and nurses’ home extensions at. the Hutt. There were other important- jobs under way which were linked with those projects of most public interest. A Citizens’ board was confident it could do the best job at the best price consistent with good standards, and in the quickest time. It asked the chance-to carry on with a full