HOSPITAL PLANS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 July 1938, Page 6

HOSPITAL PLANS

WAIRARAPA PROPOSALS AMENDED NO THREE-STOREY BLOCK AT PRESENT INCREASE IN MEDICAL STAFF NEEDED An important decision affecting the immediate future of the Masterton Hospital was reached at today’s meeting of the Wairarapa Hospital Board, when it was decided in the meantime not to proceed with the construction of the proposed three-storey ward block, but to construct an administration block and quarters for the resident medical officers. The chairman, Mr H. H. Mawley, stated that officers of the Health Department thought that the board should defer consideration of the three storey ward block in the meantime. The department considered that the number of days’ stay in Masterton Hospital was definitely too high. Masterton was 5 per cent above the Dominion average. The department Was also of the opinion that the expansion of the district nursing services, the utilisation of Greytown Hospital and the proposed use of the late Mr A. P. Whatman’s residence as a convalescent' home would all relieve the position at the Masterton Hospital. “After interviewing the department,” added Mr Mawley,. “we came to the conclusion that it would be much better to organise our services here and get everything up-to-date before proceeding with the three-storey block. We must have a full-time Medical Superintendent here. The hospital has grown too big for a part-time Superintendent. Greater efficiency would result from the engagement of _ two resident medical officers. I would strongly recommend the board to proceed with the administration block and the medical officers quarters, and defer consideration <?f the three-storey block in the meantime. I think that we are on the right track in building a thrde-storey block when’ the time is opportune. If we built anything less the board would probably be involved in additional expenditure later on.”

Mr P. R. Welch said that after hearing the view of the Department he felt confident that they should proceed with the administration block and the quarters for the medical officers. The three-storey block would involve an expenditure of £45,000, which was a big sum to put before the local bodies.

The whole matter was largely bound up with the Government’s proposed national health services. No one knew the effect of the proposed legislation, and that in ! kelf should cause the

left front mudgarrl struck the bicycle. The moment that happened something board to pause. Be agreed that nothing should be done with the ward block until they knew what effect the Government’s proposals would have on the whole health services of the Dominion.

Mr Mawley stated that it would probably be six months before a start could be’, made with the construction of the administration block, and another six months before it was completed. The quarters for the resident medical staff would cost about £2,500. After some further brief discussion, the following recommendations by the Finance and Social Welface Committee were adopted:— “(1) That the board adopt the sketch plan of the administration block with resident medical quarters on the first floor, as submitted by the Department of Health with slight modifications regarding entrance and telephone room —such modifications being agreed to by the department. (2) That‘"the board proceed to have working plans and specifications of the block prepared, necessary funds raised, and proceed with the building at the earliest possible date.”