NEW HOSPITAL BLOCK

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4447, 3 May 1930, Page 3

NEW HOSPITAL BLOCK

((PEN IN<! C'EREMONY YESTERDAY. Yesterday marked another epoch in the progress of the Palmerston North Public Hospital, (he Wilson memorial block, consisting of two wards capable of accommodating 4b beds, and erected at a cost-of nearly'lll'S ,000, being opened. ' J„ extending a hourly welcome to those present', Mr. K- Hornblnw, chairman of the* Palmerston Noith Hospital Board, said that he was particularly glad to see many present who had been associated with the hospital many years ago, and also two daughters of the late Sir Janies Wilson. They were honoured, lie said, by the presence of the Hon. A. J. Stall wort by and Dr. T. FI. Valinline, Director-General of Health. Mr. tlornblow referred to the high standard of efficiency in New Zealand’s hospitals, and in so doing paid a special tribute to Dr. Yalintine, and said that, although his board did not always agree with Dr. Yalintine, it must be admitted that nothing hut. cordial relations existed between them. FORMER DAYS RECALLED.

Dr. Yalintine said that he was very pleased to accept the hoard's invitation to he present, all the more so because he had been intimately connected with local liospi!a! affairs during his 2b years as l.ii reel tir-( ionera i *>l Health. Palmerston North Hospital started with accommodation for HI beds, Imt ilow with 2SO hods the hospital ranked as sixth in New Zealand. In 1 DOS only one person and a 1.;,1f a ilipusand of population look advantage of hospital institutions, whereas now 3.7 a thousand availed themselves of the facilities so provided, said Dr. Yalintine. Since 1010 hospital expenditure had increased from £240,000 1 o £1,250,000. During the past 20 years New Zealand's hospital system had de- ■ .-luped largely, but there was still room for improvement and expansion. Tie particularly desired hospital boards to keep Ibeir expendi;ure within reasonable bounds. He quoted an instance with local application in connect ion with the Palmerston North Board's contemplated [purchase of the X-ray plant, advocating that the hoard purchase British plant in preference to an American product, which was much dearer. He. confirmed Air. Hornblow's remark in connection with their differences and the cordial relationship. LATE SIR JAMES WILSON.

Mr. Stall worthy, after saying that be felt privileged at being invited to oilieiato on sueli a really memorable occasion, stated that lie was pleased to see so many people in the Dominion taking au iielive interest in helpinc their less fortunately situated citizens,-and be congratulated Ibe board and Palmerston North citizens upon their generosity and (heir humanitarian spirit. He bad come into contact with the late Sir James Wilson and had been (irmly impressed with bis charm. The late Sir James Wilson’s interest in the welfare of Ihe Dominion’s henllh had been evinced by the if ael I hat lie had given up public, work in other spheres in order to devote his attention to bis* position as chairman of the Palmer slmi North Hospital Board. When Dr. Ynlintine began his magnificent work as Director-General of Health lie applied himself thoroughly to his task, with the consequence that New Zealand to-day .possessed Ihe Jinesl hospital syslepi in the world. Mjr. StulLworthy said the |new Wilson block provided additional accommodation for 40 beds, increasing the total accommodation of the hospital from 247 beds to 293. Including Ofaki Hospital there was nil aggregate of 305 beds tor the district, or nearly 5.4 a LOGO of population, a -proportion which was ahead of any district of similar or greater population. The substantial addition to the bed accommodation also involved additions to the auxiliary departments of the hospital and the inevitable increase in the burden of hospital maintenance, a burden that was io-dav the heavier on account of the temporary economic conditions of many who were called upon to foot the bill. After quoting statistics to show Ihe increase in the work of and expenditure on hospitals (lie Minister unveiled the tablet and opened the new Wilson memorial wards.