HOSPITAL NEEDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 70, 24 March 1931, Page 9

HOSPITAL NEEDS.

POSITION IN AUCKLAND.

PROPOSED NEW BUILDINGS.

£49,500 FOR URGENT WORKS

TOTAL EXPENDITURE £227,500.

An important report by Dr. Shore, inspector of hospitals, was considered by the Auckland Hospital Board -this afternoon. In the report are various suggestions for additions to the hospital, made, Dr. Shore points out, "not with any idea of finality, but rather with the hope that they will form a ground .work on which to base constructive criticism." Dr. Shore said a complete scheme for hospital accommodation in Auckland would involve the expenditure of a large sum. To carry out proposals which he considered necessary immediately, and those desirable in the near future, expenditure Involving £50,000 would be required. The grand total for the.General Hospital was in the vicinity of £230,000 and did not include auy expenditure on infectious disease or other special accommodation. Dr. Shore set out the following figures: — (1) Erecting- operating block and twostorey wards, £35,000. (2) Providing sub-ways and covered ways, £3000. (3) Altering present operating block to house dental clinic, £1500. (4) Altering laundry to kitchen block, including removal of laundry to Epsomj £4000. (5) Allowance for lifts, £6000. (6) Adding two more storeys to operating and wards block, £20,000. (7) Erecting of four-storey ward block next to Costley Home, £40,000. (8) Erecting administration block, basement and two storeys, £«48,000. (9) Adding three storeys in, wards to administration block, £60,000. (10) Contingencies, £10.000. Total, £227,500. ." ".- , The first five w-orks Dr. Shore classed as urgent. Dr. Shore stated that the building of a hospital at North Shore was at present uncalled for. He suggested the possibility of establishing in the future a special children's hospital, and that the board should look for a suitable site. Summary of Suggestions. The suggestions of Dr. Shore include the following:— Immediate improvement of kitchen facilities, together with consideration ot iaundry Avork at the infirmary. A further 50 beds at infirmary in near future. In near future a commencement with Block A and the connecting corridor or subway. Consideration of special hospitals. Immediate consideration to be given to the question of appointing district midwives, and, if found necessary an.l desirable, the provision of accommodation for maternity casee. : ~■ : District Nursing Service. <In an addendum to .'the report, Dr. Shore said he had made no mention of the development of;a general district nursing service, which he considered a necessary department ..in- all the larger hospital*: By such a service many patients whose homes were Avitlnn reasonable distance o;£ the hospital could, oe discharged earlier and be put under tae supervision of a district nurse, ,who could carry but the necessary treatment, and'do the necessary dressings. The service, properly organised an-l supervised, could do much useful/work. He suggested that for a start the district should be confined-to the ■ metropolitan area. He made the recommendation for serious consideration.