HELENSVILLE PRIVATE HOSPITAL

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 2 June 1921, Page 3

HELENSVILLE PRIVATE HOSPITAL

UP-TO-DATE INSTITUTION

It is always a pleasure for anylocal paper to chronicle progress being made in a town, especially when such progress is of a substantial nature. The other day a representative of this paper was kindly shown through the new private hospital owned by and just completed to the order of Dr M. Meinhold, of Helensville. The building occupies a commanding site close to the post office and overlooking the railway station, wharves and river. The best outlook is from the rear of the building, facing the sun, where "a long, wide balcony has been erected for the convenience of patients and convalescents. This balcony contains a row of patent casement windows, and if required the whole length can be opened with very little trouble. Owing to the slope of the ground, at the back and under the main building there are servants' quarters (very comfortable), wash-house, storerooms, workshop, etc. The doctor's own home adjoins the new hospital building, with uninterrupted communication between the two, so that if medical man or nurses are required urgently by inpatients there is no need to leave the building. The surgery is a fine light large room facing the main street ; in dustproof glass cases are seen the hundred and one shining tools and instruments connected with a surgeon's profession. The use of some of these wierd-lotfking instruments is very rarely necessary, but the moment is never known when one of us poor mortals may develop a complaint sr meet with an accident which will necessitate th,e use of one or more of these implements: they were certainly not, made for tun. The operatingroom is also well lighted and equipped, and has a free supply of water and an apparatus for thoroughly sterilising anything used. The bedrooms are commodious and fitted with every necessity. There are several, patent lavatories and a plentiful supply of fresh water throughout the whole building. Our representative particularly noticed the clean appearance of everything, the studied convenience throughout, and the evident desire to afford patients the greatest comfort possible. A. noticeable feature is the apparent solidity of the whole structure —the superior timber used, the concrete sumps, drains, etc. Messrs Osborne and Leech were the contractors, which alone is a sufficient guarantee of quality. The painting, decorating, etc, has been well done by Mr J. L. Bradly. Outside the building the grounds are being improved under the direction of Mr A. J. Skelton. Tar-sealed footpaths, with conCrete sides and steps in places, are being made and a plantation arranged, and in the course of a year or two the exterior of the premises should look very attractive. Needless to say, this building has cost a large sum of money — considerably more than Dr Meinhold anticipated when he set out on the venture, and the proprietor is to be commended on his enterprise ; while the public hereabouts is to be congratulated on possessing an institution that would do credit to a much larger town than Helensville. No one could over-estimate the value of the maternity branch, which will prove ft, boon and a blessing to expectant mothers.