MATERNITY HOSPITAL

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 43, 3 April 1930, Page 3

MATERNITY HOSPITAL

RECOMMENDED FOR HUTT

VALLEY.

At a meeting of the Wellington Hospital Board held last week, the following report from the Medical Officer of Health (Dr. Finoilay) was forwarded to the Board by the Director-General of Health (Dr. T. H. A. Valentine) :—

Dr. Findlay wrote: —"Be obstetrical hospital, Hutt Vaiiey. I desire again to present this matter to you, and would suggest^ that the time has arrived when an effort should be made to establish a, maternity institution, under the Hospital Board, either at Petone or ihe Lower Hutt.

"The following facts and figures are quoted in support of the establishment of such a maternity hospital:— ** For the year 1929, patients from the localities mentioned were " admitted) to St. Helens Hospital, Wellington, as follows: —Lower Hutt 60; Petone 46; Upper Hutt 14; Eastbourne 7. At the Alexandra Home, Wellington, 12 cases were ■ admitted from the Hutt V&lley in 1929. -

. c ' The establishment, of an institution in *he Hutt Valley would relieve St. Helens Hospital • and the ■Alexandra Home to at least the extent indicated in the above figures; also ,no doubt, the ante-natal work would be more satisfactory. There are two private .maternity hospitals in the locality—one with six "beds and another with- four beds.

"There is sufficient population in the Hutt Valley, Eastbourne ,and adjacent bays to justify the erection of a maternity hospital. I understand that the Wellington Hospital Board are considering the question as to whether or not they will dispose of a site held by them in Lower Hutt. I.would suggest that perhaps -the 'boarci should hold this matter in abeyance pending the. possible use of of the section for a maternity hospital."

The board agreed that the Medical Superintendent^of the Hospital and the the Medical Officer of Health be asked to report upon the suitability of the site for -a maternity hospital. The _area' of the land referred to is nine and a half acres. Mr A. J. McCurdy had given notice to move at the next meeting of the board: — *'That.the property at Lower Hutt be disposed of to the best advantage ,and the proceeds invested on fixed^ deposit until required for hospital extension purposes. "