DECISION WANTED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22340, 27 May 1947, Page 4

DECISION WANTED

BOARD PERTURBED NEW MATERNITY BLOCK CONDITIONS AT LISTER “This board is gravely perturbed at the inadequate facilities for maternity cases in this district and again asks the Department of Health to expedite its decision regarding the board's plans.’’ This motion was carried yesterday at the meeting of the Cook Hospital Board after a short discussion in which “shocking” conditions at Lister Hospital were mentioned in support of the claims that a start with the new block be considered a matter of urgency. The motion was proposed by Mr. H. H. Barker. The chairman, Mr. M. T. Trafford: I won’t vote for it. It is only disturbing our hand and getting up the backs of the department. Mr. G. D. Muirhead said it was not tiie fault of the department only as mat. ters were referred to the Works Department. The department was particularly busy at the moment. Mr. J. H. Hall, who seconded the motion, said the board should persevere with it. Referring to a recent visit to Lister Hosp'ital, Mr. H. H Dods said he had been disturbed at the conditions there. “Its appearance inside and out is shocking,” Mr. Dods added, “and something will have to be done there if we dont’ speed up this other block.” Mr. Trafford explained that Lister was being taken under the Public Works Act and no improvements could be carried out until the board secured the freehold. Anything to do with the improvement of the appearance of the hospital “or anything at all would be against our interests.” He added that it was impossible to “hurry these things.” Mrs. E. R. Scott agreed with the purpose of the motion, and said the board owed it to the people who were having to use the institutions. The motion was carried. Mrs. Scott referred later to the need for replacements of curtains, linen and furnishings at Lister Hospital. Some of them were badly in need of renewal.