HOSPITAL FACILITIES.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 459, 21 March 1919, Page 2

HOSPITAL FACILITIES.

i [\ \■■.-.; i i i! ;r th" Auikland ITos- | :>i!al ! '.i)''••<l 'n\ •• h ( n approached | to approve of w;n memorials j t:iki'i;> \h>- foi in nf hospitals at I [ Pnb-kolic and at U'aiukii the j vi>v.' iii'.'i ncy r"t:i!!o| |i > ~•.<■: 'no Iced I j ill it ill' •• : :: possibility of hotli j

projects being turned down by reason of the Board being reluc- | tant to authorise the establishment of two institutions. Indeed,. Mr Wallace, the chairman ot the Hospital Board, hinted when the Pukekohe and Waiuku deputations waited on the Board last Tuesday evening that the ! objective was more likely to be ! attained if an agreement was arrived at whereby one hospital only was asked for. Although acting independently of one another the promoters of the schemes are not at variance and there is uo rivalry in regard to the proposals', for each party recognises that either district has good claims for applying for hospital facilities, the geographical contour of the country rendering it practically impossible for one hospital, either at Pukekohe or Waiuku, to meet requirements. The isolated position of Waiuku and of the district immediately adjoining it provides adequate argument for favourable consideration being given to the Waiuku application especially as a building with only about half-a-dozen beds would probably suffice for the purpose. That Waiuku has good reason for putting forward its claims should not, however, re-act to the detriment of the Pukekohe proposal for the circumstances are entirely different. Pukekohe itself has a large population and around it are the most closely settled ridings of Franklin County, Pukekohe being uniquely central in that respect. Statistics are not so far forthcoming as to the number of patients admitted to the Auckland Hospital from Franklin County (exclusive of the Waiuku, Waipipi and Awhitu ridings) and from Pukekohe borough but the total will probably be found considerable and quite sufficient to warrant the erection of a district hospital rather than a cottage hospital of smaller pretensions. The Chairman of the Hospital Board on Tuesday suggested that, unlike Waiuku, Pukekohe had the advantage of a fairly frequent train service to Auckland and that hospital patients were thus easily removed to the city. This is of course tiae but there are many occasions on which victims of accidents would benefit by more prompt treatment as would be possible if there was a hospital at Pukekohe whilst in addition many persons would be relieved in their sufferings if they were cared for nearer their homes. Again, as Cr Armstrong pointed out at the meeting of the Boatd, favelling expenses ot patients to Auckland, as also of members of families that desiie to see their relatives so as to cheer them up whilst inmates of the hospital, press hardly on the poorer classes. Too often also, although an exception is always made in the case of a pressing emergency, tbe Auckland Hospital is so overcrowded that calls from#the country for admission have to be refused. With settlement and population*™ the increase this congestion will necessarily be gradually accentuated and from a policy point of view the provision of a country hospital, if not already absolutely essential, will have to be undertaken sooner or later and no better centre than Pukekohe for the same can be found. We have previously advocated in these columns that nothing more appropriate than a hospital could be designed as a war memorhl and especially under the circumstances as set forth i;i the foregoing since the public n :i token of thanksgiving for victory over the enemy are likely to willingly become financially responsible for a fully-equipped building being donated to the Board it is hardly conceivable that the Board will be so foolish as to reject the offer. It has been arranged that members of the Board will visit Frankliu County su as to gain cognisance of the surroundings and we believe that their inspection will convince them thai the Pukekohe scheme should be accepted. It is for everyone interested to bestir themselves in the matter and if tin.' Board can be per. uaded to entertain the project we shall be greatly surprised if subscriptions an- not freely forthcoming to carry the undertaking through to a successful conclusion.