Infantile Paralysis

Hokitika Guardian, 8 August 1922, Page 4

Infantile Paralysis

trentham Hospital to up: CLOSED. WELLINGTON, Aug l>. It is the intention of the Health Department to close the Trentham Hospital and to transfer to other hospitals patients now under treatment there, ineluding infantile paralysis patients.

Mr Seddon, in the House to-day, said it was reported that the latter cases were to be transferred to Rotorua, and lie asked the Minister of Health if some institution could not me made available on the Coast and other districts, so that patients might be nearer their parents’ homes. The Hon C. J. Parr said it was correct that the hospital was to ho closed in three or four months’ time, thus making a saving of about £15,000 per annum. The instructions given were dbat children now under treatment for infantile paralysis should receive continued treatment. Some were to go to King George Hospital, Rotorua, which specialised in this work, but in other eases hospital hoards were making, arangements for further treat incut, and assuming the responsibility for the cases. He tlid not see why the Canterbury and Otago boards should not make arrangements, and if tho names of patients from the West Coast were given to him, bo would consult his officers and see what could ( be done, I ]