Proposal to Extend Maternity Services

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 12823, 18 August 1939, Page 1

Proposal to Extend Maternity Services

A letter was read at yesterday’s meeting of the Tauranga Hospital Board from Dr. R. A. Shore, for the Director-General of Health, who wrote under date July 28, as follows: “I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of July 24, intimating that your Board has decided to give effect to the Department’s recommendations regarding the establishment of a maternity hospital at Katikati. With regard to the preparation of sketch plans, it will be necessary in the first instance to secure a suitable site and to forward the necessary details of that site to this Department. At the same time, I regret that it will not be possible for this Department to provide the necessary sketch plans, and in this connection it would be advisable for your Board to engage the services of a private architect.” The Chairman, Mr Newsham, reported that Mrs Faulkner, Mr Wilkinson, the Secretary (Mr.Lumley), and he himself had visited Katikati and inspected various sites. He gave particulars regarding the areas and quoted prices. The question of area was mentioned and Mr Mundt thought kali-an-acre would be sufficient. Mr Hyde reported in regard to sites, and the prices which owners were asking. Mr Wilkinson favoured buying an area of three acres. Mr Mundt said the Acting Direc-tor-General of Health had suggested half-au-acre. Mr Hyde thought the area should not be less than an acre. Mr McNaughton regarded an acre as sufficient. The Chairman suggested that the matter of site might be referred to Mr Hyde to consult the Katikati Progress League with a view to making a recommendation. Mr Mundt said the Board represented the ratepayers and the decision should be made by the former. Mr Macmillan pointed out that Crown land had been offered as a site for a Plunket room, and that area might be investigated. Mr Mundt moved —That the matter of site be referred to the Chairman, the Hon. Mr Macmillan, Mr, ilyde and Mrs Faulkner to report to next meeting. Mr Eccleton seconded. The question of whether the hospital should be on a site fronting the main road or/ to the eastward of the township was raised. Mr Wilkinson moved an amendment —That the Board purchase an acre of land from Mr Alley. In doing so he said delay should be avoided. —Lapsed, no seconder. The Chairman thought the matter should not be rushed and the fullest investigation made. Mr Clarke said an exhaustive investigation should be made. In reply to Mr Mundt, the Chairman said an inspection had not been made by Board members of Mr Alley’s site. Mr Hyde suggested that Dr. Keenan should be consulted.

Mr Mundt agreed that Dr. Keenan should be consulted, and his proposal was put and carried. Mr Hyde asked if an architect could accompany the Committee when inspecting the various sites. The Chairman raised the question of whether there should be a separate building for the nurses. He thought that one building, should meet requirements. It was stated that a staff of four would be probably required at Katikati.

The Chairman suggested that the architects might b© asked to submit competitive designs. The financing of the hospital was raised and it was stated the Board would have to raise the money by loan. Contributions to interest and repayments would be made by the Government.

The Chairman spoke in favour of a concrete building, while other members favoured rough-cast. Mr Clarke supported the proposal of inviting competitive designs from architects.

TAURANGA AND KATIKATI HOSPITAL BOARD’S DECISIONS

It was agreed that Mrs Faulkner, Messrs Mundt, Eccletou and McNaughton, Dr Randell and Miss Lenilian (matron of the Te Puke Hospital) be appointed a Committee to report to the Board on the general layout of a suitable building for Katikati.

It was agreed that the lay-out plan be submitted to Dr. Keenan for his comment.

At the meeting of the Board in July a report was read from Dr. R. A. Shore recommending the establishment at Katikati of a maternity hospital of three to four beds with provision of two to three beds for medical and surgical emergencies. He stated that the position in regard to Tauranga was reported on by the Maternity Committee and except in so far as the amount of the accommodation to he provided would he affected by, the establishment of a maternity hospital at Katikati, the recommendation of the Committee should be given effect to. The recommendation of the Committee of Inquiry into Maternity Services favoured the erection of a ma-> ternity annexe at Tauranga, with separate accommodation for Maoris and Europeans.

The Board decided at the July; meeting to give effect to the Department’s recommendation in regard to the Katikati proposal axld that consideration of the Tauranga recommendation he deferred, pending investigations into what private enterprise was prepared to provide, in the way of efficient maternity facilities in Tauranga. At the July meeting of the Board, the Chairman and Mrs Faulkner were appointed to interview the proprietresses of the three nursing homes at Tauranga. Mrs Faulkner presented a report giving questions submitted to the proprietresses of the nursing homes in Tauranga and their replies. This dealt mainly with the number of patients that could be treated.

The Chairman said that the Board was now faced with, the provision of a maternity annexe at Tauranga. In addition to erecting an annexe there would have to be accommodation for the maternity nurses. Mr Clarke said the Health Department should be*asked to supply plans of the new buildings. Mr McNaughton raised the question of treating natives and contended that further/investigation should be made as to what the Government would contribute. If a maternity annexe were built the Board would get Maori patient*. It was stated that the European patients would generally patronise the private "maternity homes. Mr McNaughton said they had a large Maori population and representations should be made to the Government with a view to meeting tlje additional costs created by Maori patients. The Chairman thought that the County Council could consider that aspect. The Health Department could be asked to provide plans and estimates of the cost of the ' new. buildings. The Hon. Mr Macmillan said the number of patients for a maternity; annexe at Tauranga would be affected by the erection of a hospital at Katikati and the local private maternity hospitals. The requirements at Tauranga should be kept down to the minimum.

Mr Mundt moved —That the Health Department be advised that the Board proposes providing a maternity hospital at Katikati; that particulars be given as to what the private maternity homes at Tauranga were prepared to do; that the Department be asked to reply as to what would be required at Tauranga as regards maternity cases and an estimate of the cost of the building. —Seconded by the Chairman and carried.

Mrs Faulkner stated that a local property owner was willing to dispose of a large residence to the Board, which he thought might be suitable as a maternity hospital. The Board thanked the owner for his offer, but did not regard the building .as suitable.