Hospital Wards For Children

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 69, 14 December 1937, Page 6

Hospital Wards For Children

NAPIER & HASTINGS *• -

Department To Be Asked To Report SECOND-STOREY PLAN 4 . ^ CMldren's hospital accommo'dation was again under discussion by the Hawke's Bay Hospital - Board yesterday, when the bnilding committee reported in favour of the ereetion of a children Js ward as a second storey to the Midgley ward. Criticism of the proposal was offered by Mr S. J. •McKee and, on the motion of Dr. H. M. JVilson, it was agreed, by seyen votes to three, to defer decision nntil tbe Department of Health had investigated the question of children's accommodation at both Napier and Hastings and submitted advice to the board on the requirements. Mr C. 0. Morse moved an amendment that the department he asked to advise on the whole huilding poliey of the board. The amendment was lost and Mr Morse subsequently gave notice of motion to reseind the resolution passed at a previous meeting to have extra accommodation for nurses erected at Hastings. Mr S. J. McKee opposed the ereetion of a two-storey building as a children's -ward on account of the fearpsychological effect following an earthquake. Dr. H. M. "Wilson moved that the decision regarding ereetion of a new children's ward be deferred pending an investigation by the department, and the provision of a full report, on the children's wards at both the Napier and Hastings Hospitals, Mr. A. E. Bedford said he felt that there were no members of the board irho did not approve the building of a aew children's ward. The proposed ward had been approved by the Public iWorks Department and similar schemes had heen adopted in England and in some parts of Australia. iie was sure that it was perfectly safe to put up another storey. While he believed that something should and must be done at Hastings, he would not like to see any delay jn Napier. Mr. Morse said he would agree with l)r. Wilson's suggestion that the department be asked to investigate the position, if the doctor would go further and invite an independent opinion from •utside the department on the whole matter of hospital building in the Hawke's Bay district. "If we feel that we are not able to m&ke decisions, we should get someone to look at the whole of the requirements from an outside viewpoint," he said. rtIt may he that the board has gone spending-mad, but the fact remains that there is not accommodation at the base hospital for children. Psyctioioglcal Aspeot. "The best we can provide is a top storey on one of the concrete wards here," Mr. Morse said. The psychological aspect eould be hrushed aside. Members, Inciuding Dr. Wilson and himself, had two-storey houses, and their children did not get frightened. Mr. Morse then moved as a further amendment that the Director-General of Health he requested to supply an independent person to give an independent opinion on all matters surrounding the finalising of all hospital requirements at both Napier and' Hastings iiospltals. The chairman said that he could not support this amendment as he thought that the board and the department could continue to work in harmony for the henefit of the hospital. This amendment was lost by 7 votes to 3 and Dr. "Wilson's resolution was agreed to. Mr. C. O. Morse subsequently gave notice of his intention to move the following motion: — That the board reseind the motion at a previous meeting passed to provide extra accommodation for nurses at Hastings ; taking into consideration the opinion expressed by representatives of the Hawke's Bay County and of Hastings "that an opinion be obtained from the Health Department regarding accommodation for children ; to be consistent with this opinion a similar opinion should be obtained in regard to the increased accommodation for nurses at Hastings before any further action is taken.