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Taranaki Daily News, 11 December 1919, Page 4

A HOSPITAL FOR OPUNAKE. It i(s by no means surprising that the people of the Opunalce district should feel strongly the lack of hospital accommodation there, as it seems that without a cottage hospital there is no chance of securing a district nurse, so that the people at that end of the Taranalci Hospital District are practically isolated. The agitation for a hospital at Opunalce culminated in a meeting there last Saturday, which was attended by representatives of the Taranaki Hospital Board, including the chairman (Mr. M. Eraser), when the matter was fully discussed. The tone of the Opunake speakers clearly indicated that they would no longer put up with the isolation of the past, but it must be remembered they have been given good cause for resentment at the

neglect hitherto, and though they let off much steam and talked seriously about forming a separate district, wiser counsels iiltimately prevailed. The Hospital Board was prepared to proceed with the erection of a cottage hospital of two wards and six beds, but this was deemed inadequate, the need of a third ward being strongly urged, and eventually a committee was set up to confer with the Board. The main difficulty is finance, and if the people of the district are prepared to raise their share of the cost of a larger building, its provision will follow as a matter of course. There can be no gainsaying the need for a cottage hospital at Opunake, and it would seem that nine or ten beds would meet present requirements, but if maternity cases and provision for training maternity nurses are to bo part of the scheme, it would probably bo necessary to have two buildings. Nothing is easier than so to arrange the plans as to provide for enlargement if required hereafter. It would still be necessary to send cases for major operations to New Plymouth, and, in this connection, it was unwise of some of the speakers to advocate separation. The hospital at New Plymouth is equipped with the most up-to-date appliances, and served by a medical and nursing staff second to none in their zeal and efficiency. This institution is for the whole district, it is very expensive ta maintain, and it would take a new district hospital many years before it could arrive at the usefulness of the New Plymouth institution. The meeting has done good in more ways than one, particularly in the direction of establishing the fact that the Hospital Board is honest in its administration and desirous of doing its best for the sick and suffering in all parts of its district.