UNLIKELY TO MAKE MUCH HEADWAY WITH TRANSFER

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 46, 15 June 1965, Page 1

UNLIKELY TO MAKE MUCH HEADWAY WITH TRANSFER

Taumarunui Hospital Board is unlikely to make much prpgress with its attempt to have the Tu-rangi-Tokaanu area transferred within its district. The board decided last week to make a formal move to have this section of the Waikato Hospital Board's area transferred to its own. The Taumarunui board's boundary goes to within seven miles of Turangi. In the past years Tokaanu and Turangi patients have mainly been treated at Taumaranui. The nearest alternative hospital service is at Rotorua, although Taupo has a fully - equiped maternity hospital. The Taumarunui board decided to approach the district's two Memhers of Parliament, Messrs D. C. Seath and R. E. Jack, to have Turangi ineluded in its area. The board had considered j sending a deputation to ' Wellington.

The 87-bed Taumarunui Hospital is at present engaged in a major building programme, which includes two new 30-bed wards and conservation of an existing ward for use by the casualty, clinic and admission departments. It wonld he doubtful whether any change in the boundary between the two hoards would he of any particuiar henefit to the Turangi - Tokaanu area, said the Taupo representative on the Waikato hoard, Mr J. W. Birnie, this week. He added that medical facilities were at present available at Turangi and additional hospital facilities would be provided in due course in Taupo for the Turangi area. "These areas have ahvays been in the Waikato board's I district and the board has jalready negotiated with the | Ministrv of Works for tihe | provision of maternity and I I first aid facilities in the I district."