TO BE REMOVED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 38, 15 February 1939, Page 8

TO BE REMOVED

TUBERCULOSIS CASES IN WARDS I ! AUCKLAND HOSPITAL DECISION [ Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Feb. 14. Urgent, action to remove from the wards of the Auckland Hospital more than 30 tuberculosis cases at present accommodated there was decided upon by the hospital board. The board’s building committee was instructed to take immediate steps to erect temporayr shelters at the Epsom Infirmary or in the grounds of the main hospital. The seriousness of the position was revealed in the report of the medical superintendent, Dr. W. Craven, who said the risk to other patients and the nursing staff was causing much concern. Although temporary buildings were not. viewed favourably by the chairman, Mr. Allan Moody, he said it was the board's duty to act quickly and remove the risk. Meanwhile if the public would be patient a little longer the board would build a chest hospital and provide a properly equipped sanatorium as part of a comprehensive scheme. Sunday School Discontinued Because of the upsetting effects on some of the patients of Sunday school in the children’s ward the board adopted a recommendation that the school be discontinued. “The matter has been thoroughly considered,” said the chairman. “I have b(« n regarded as a bigot but I have no apology to make. It is a torment to some children because of the state of their health, to have to listen to Sunday school services in the ward. They are not in a condition to be disturbed in this way. It is the board's duty to promote their recovery and not to consider their spiritual needs.” The recommendation adopted by the board was made by the medical superintendent. The appointment of Messrs. Stephenson and Turner, of Australia, and Mr. R. Farrell, of Auckland, as joint architects for the erection of the proposed main block at the Auckland Hospital was made. The decision, which is subject to the approval of the Department of Health, was made after a discussion on the possibility of engaging New Zealand architects to undertake the work.