HOSPITAL BOARD’S COMPLAINT

Southland Times, 16 October 1942, Page 4

HOSPITAL BOARD’S COMPLAINT

Departmental Delays Delay caused in carrying out alterations and additions to hospital buildings because of an apparent lack of co-operation between the Health Department and the Public Works Department was commented on at the meeting of the Southland Hospital Board yesterday. Briefly the complaint was that even after the Health Department had approved of plans the work was still held up because the approval of the Public Works Department had not been obtained. The chairman of the board, Mr T. Golden, remarked facetiously that plans for hospital buildings required by the next generation should be prepared now. Then the necessary approval might be secured in time. The secretary, Mr A. M. Williams, reported that the additions to the nurses’ home at Kew had been approved by the Health Department in a letter dated August 20, 1942. Acting on this approval the board had instructed the architect to proceed with final plans and specifications as the additions, in the opinion of the Health Department and the board, were most urgent. The board’s architect had now reported that apparently because of the requirements of the Public Works Department the whole plans were to be scrapped and new plans prepared. Mr Williams said that in the past it had been assumed that when approval had been received from the Health Department this naturally included approval by the Public Works Department since plans were normally referred to that department by the Director-General of Health. Mr Golden: We do not object to the Public Works Department giving its opinion, but the Health Department should consult the Public Works' Department before approving of plans. On the motion of Mr T. Pryde it was decided to write to the Health Department suggesting that it should consult with tire Public Works Department before approving of plans for alterations and additions to hospital buildings.