HOSPITAL PLAN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 177, 29 July 1941, Page 9

HOSPITAL PLAN

FUTURE BUILDING MORE ACCOMMODATION

In accordance with notice of motion, Mr. J. Victor Macky moved at a meeting of the Auckland Hospital Board last evening, that a special meeting be convened at an early date, to consider the question of the future accommodation of patients, and to define a policy and building programme, particularly with reference to the main hospital site.

Mr. Macky said that two years ago the board held a special meeting and decided to proceed with the erection of a main base hospital, a proposal which was strongly supported by Press and public. Plans were prepared, but other matters took up the attention of the board. He urged that the board should seriously re-examine the proposal, with a view to definite action, as the present institution was over-crowded. He said that the advent of social security had altered the whole trend of care of the sick, and it had thrown on the hospitals of New Zealand an enormous responsibility. Mr. E. H. Potter considered that the board should be advised of the necessary buildings in the district to carry on under the Social Security Act. Chairman's Views The chairman, Mr. Allan J. Moody, pointed out that the board had to co-ordinate the services. Everybody wanted to see a bold scheme gone on with, but they had to consider where tho money, material and labour would come from. He considered that the 40-hour week would have to go, as when the war was finished, they would have to have production. The board was ready to go on with a major scheme, but some of the original Plans would have to be altered. They would have to work to a co-ordinated plan. Mr. Macky's motion was carried unanimously. The board adopted a recommendation by the buildings committee to instruct the acting architect, Mr. Ft. L. Farrell, to prepare a preliminary sketch-plan of a short wing of four floors, to be added to the south side of the middle of the main building at the Auckland Hospital. Mr. Macky considered the proposed extension would cost £20,000. Mr. Potter estimated the cost at about £16,000.