MASTERTON HOSPITAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 September 1940, Page 6

MASTERTON HOSPITAL

ADMINISTRATIVE BLOCK

ALTERATIONS

MODERN OFFICE FACILITIES.

WARD 7 RECONSTRUCTED

Extensive alterations to the Wairarapa Hospital Board’s administrative block, which will bring the office facilities into line with'the high standard of modern equipment in the hospital block, are in the last stages of completion.

In an interview this morning, the Managing-Secretary, Mr Norman Lee. expressed the opinion that the work had been very satisfactorily carried out. He also commented on the reconstruction work being carried cut on Ward 7. pointing out that when the ward was ready for use again, the standard of efficiency would be greater than the high standard ruling at present.

The administrative block is a flatroofed structure in which is embodied part of the old brick building which housed the office staff, and contains all the features cf modern building construction. Access to the building is gained from the main entrance which lies opposite the Nurses' Home and is only a few yards away from the main public entrance to the hospital. On entering the building the secretary's oil ice is on the left-hand side. A few yards further on is the inquiries window and the main office is gained by turning down a corridor to the left. These offices feature the latest methods of indirect lighting, the light being diffused by special shades which were obtained from the Exhibition, and the walls are finished off with a cream colour enamel, which presents a particularly pleasing appearance to the eye. Handsome inlaid linoleum and a unit heating system are also features. The main office is about 35ft by 24ft and provided plenty of room for requirements. There is also a wellbuilt strongroom lor office storage purposes (incidentally the old office had no strongroom). The board room is a spacious, airy structure, 27ft feet by 20 feet, and faces the Te Ore Ore hockey grounds. It is fitted with beautiful light fittings and thermostat heating arrangements and the many windows permit plenty oi. sun, to enter. Access to the.board’s office can also be made from the fomer entrance in the hospital corridor, and on that side provision has been made for the resident medical officer’s quarters and a room has been set aside for an interhospital telephone system to be introduced later. There is also a waiting room for visitors. An innovation in the alterations to Ward 7 is the fact that the doors have been hinged to allow the passage of patients, and by bolting up a section a smaller entrance is allowed for general use.

Visitors to the hospital will notice that very little sound results when they walk along the main corridor. Recently the linoleum was taken up and a covering to deaden the sound placed underneath.