HUGE HOSPITAL EXPENDITURE.

Shannon News, 23 October 1925, Page 2

HUGE HOSPITAL EXPENDITURE.

£'50,000 NEEDED AT PALMERSTON. The various local bodies in this district have received a letter from the I'alaiersion Hospital Board forecasting intimating that an expenditure of £50,000 is necessary for additional wards. The chairman of the Board states that/for some time past the medical staff of the hospital have been complaining of the overcrowded conditions of the. wards at the Palinerston North Hospital, and that it has even been necessary to warn medical practitioners in the district that in sending in cases for treatment, the medical superintendent must be communicated with tcv see if there is a

■iicant bed, and a waiting list has at times been in vogue. At one time during the infantile paralysis epidemic there were 190 patients in the hospital and every ward and section was overcrowded. If a serious accident had happened at that time necessitating several cases being sent in, it would have been most difficult to make satisfactory arrangements. The Board is, therefore, forced to contemplate the building of additional wards. Two wards at least wiU be required, and the Board is considering whether it would not b& wise and save money in the end if such wards were built with a second storey and left unfinished for further enlargements. To do this work it is thought that an expenditure of approximately £50,000 is needed. The secretary has been making enquiries as to how other Boards have financed such additions. The Board recommends the matter for the 1 Councils' consideration, ; and points out that by paying .off the loan oy £SOOO per annum, half of the total cost is paid by way of Government subsidy. The Shannon Borough Council favoured the Board's suggestion and will abide by the Board's decision as to the method of finance.