“WHITE ELEPHANT"

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20124, 19 December 1939, Page 4

“WHITE ELEPHANT"

CHARGE UNFOUNDED COOK MATERNITY HOME CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT Comment on the recent reference at a meeting of the 'Wairoa Hospital Board to the experience with the Cook Maternity Home in Gisborne was made yesterday by the chairman of the Cook Hospital Board, Mr. M. T. Trafford, who refuted the suggestion that the maternity annexe maintained by his board could be termed a white elephant. “In the reports of the Wairoa board’s meeting, it appears that one speaker referred to the Cook Maternity (Home as a ‘white elephant.’ I do not know whether the speaker had visited the home or had any information about it, but il can say that this board has never looked upon the annexe as a poor investment,” said Mr. Trafford. “The home has served the public well, and filled a very obvious need. It was never intended that it should be made to pay its way in pounds, shillings and pence, any more than the Cook Hospital was expected to. The ratepayers realise that. I move that the Wairoa Hospital Board be written to, setting out the real position in regard to the home, and stating the number of patients dealt with there since it was opened. Training Facilities For Nurses

’“We should point out also the important part the home has played as a training school for nurses. I do not know what would happen to the nursing profession if there were no such* training schools, providing facilities for nurses to complete . their qualifications. I suggest that we supply the Wairoa board with figures regarding the number of nurses trained in the Cook annexe.” The motion was seconded by Mrs. A. E. Beer, Mr. S. T. Gray considered that the Wairoa board was concerned more with the prospects of finances being affected by the provisions of the Social Security Act. They were afraid they might suffer heavy losses if they built a maternity home in connection with the Wairoa Hospital. Opposition Not To Be Feared Dr. R. J. B. Hall, medical superintendent of the Cook Hospital, pointed out that the Wairoa board was faced with an outlay of £IO,OOO, and was concerned lest having made this provision, the custom- might be taken away by someone who might open a px-ivate maternity home. He did not think it at all likely that the Health Department would license an opposition home if the Wairoa board made the necessary provision for its district

The board carried the chairman’s motion, and decided also to forward to Wairoa the figures showing the effect of the Social Security Act.