Hospital "still too small' — despite second ward

Taupo Times, Volume 23, Issue 53, 4 July 1974, Page 1

Hospital "still too small' — despite second ward

Despite planS to enlarge Taupo General Hospital to two wards — the facility will be too small to cope with the demand for bedspace, says Mr J. W. Birnie, Taupo borough and county representative on the Waikato HosjSital board. 'On the basis of 3.5 beds per 1000 of population, Mr Birnie believes one surgical ward and another for geriatric cases is marginally inadequate. The board received approval from the Health Department to enlarge the hospital to 60 beds and to build a complete new ward of 30 beds. Tenders are expected to be called next month, pending final approval from the department. At Mr Birhie's request the board has formulated a plan for Taupo hospital which is to give guidelines on the future development of the facility. The plan proposes the construction of another two wards following the completion of the second ward. The extra wards will be used for medical, obstetric and gynaecological cases. "The functions of the present maternity hospital on Spa Road will be moved to the fourth ward in conjunction with gynaecological cases," said Mr Birnie.

"The present maternity hospital could then be used as a s home for frail, ambulant elderly patients. "The land area could be used for other health

purposes — a portion of it is under lpng-term lease to the Plunket Society and if the need arises it could be used for the establishment of a health centre."

At a meeting of the Taupo Hospital committee

Hospital "stili too 'f

small"

earlier this year, the matter was fully discussed and action is to be taken in March, next year, when the second ward is being built. "In addition to the four wards, another general ward will be needed by 1991 bringing the number of beds to 120," said Mr Birnie. "Maternity will be increased to 30." The development plan also includes: — • Establishment of a full scale occupational ther-

apy and day-care centre between the two wards. • Enlargement of the present dining room. • A second operating theatre. • Enlargement of the present nurses home and staff housing accommodation. Mr Birnie considered that after these plans have been completed, additional facilities would be required in stages. These include: — • Further ward accommodation — depending on the growth of the district. • Further operating theatre accommodation. • New fclinical services blocks. • Expansion of out-pat-ients and casualty. • Additions to administration offices. • Expansion of roading and parking facilities. "The plan will be flexible and can be altered or enlarged as circumstances warrant but as a guideline it can be most valuable and should be tenaciously pursued," said Mr Birnie. . He believes the hospital

site which he recommended ,y the board buy, should prove ample to cope wTh yv the future developments, >- • • -- - '