HOSPITAL ANNEXE OPENED

Taupo Times, Volume II, Issue 94, 6 November 1953, Page 7

HOSPITAL ANNEXE OPENED

The annexe to the Taupo Maternity Hospital was formally opened on Thursday, afternoon of last week,the ceremony being the first official duty carried out by Taupo's first Mayoress, Mrs J. E. Story. There was a good attendance of iocal residents, and among Waikato Hospital Board members present were Mr C. Andrews and Mr E. Guy (Rotorua), Mrs C. Tulloch (Putaruru), and Mrs Rees Smith (Te Kuiti). Dr. Graham, Waikato Hospital Superintendent, and Dr. Bridgeman, Rotorua Hospital Superintendent, were also present., Mr C. Andrews, Hospital Board member for the Taupo are&, acted as chairman, welcomed those present and outlined the circumstances which had led to the construction of the annexe and its use as an addition to the Taupo Maternity Hospital rather than as a Casualty Ward. The deciding factors in the matter had been the Board's policy of sending accident cases to base hospitals, and the urger^t need for further maternity hospital accommodation consequent on Taupo's rapid expansion. Mr Andrews then asked Mr J. E. Story, Mayor-elect, to speak, after which Mrs Story formally declared the annexe open, amidst applause. Other speakers were Mr Arthur Grace, representing the Tuwharetoa Trust Board, the Rev. C. G. G. Salt, Mr W. J. Stevens, president of the St. John Ambulance Association, and Mr Guy, Rotorua member of the Hospital Board. Mr Guy referred to the remarks by local speakers indicating theif hope that a Casualty WTard might still be estabiished, and explained that with modern transport facilities there were advantages in sending accident cases to the larger hospitals-, where facilities were available that could not be provided in small casualty wards. Those present inspected the new annexe after the addressses had been concluded, and were the guests of the Hospital Board at afternoon tea, arrangements for which were in the hands of Mrs Story and Miss Beaufort, the Maron, assisted by Sister McKinnon and the nursing staff.