NEW MATERNITY HOSPITAL

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23351, 10 June 1941, Page 5

NEW MATERNITY HOSPITAL

PROPOSAL APPROVED AT ASHBURTON Ashburton will have a new hospital to provide • the additional accommodation for maternity patients which has been’sought by a deputation from women’s organisations of the county during recent months, according to a decision of the Ashburton Hospital Board yesterday. Mrs A. N. Grigg, the first woman member of the board, who topped the county poll in the recent elections, was welcomed. She headed the deputation of women who approached the board. Most of the discussion was held in committee. The motion that the building of a new maternity hospital shoulu be proceeded with, was moved by Mr Raymond Oakley, who reported, after a discussion in committee, that all the medical practitioners of Ashburton had unanimously agreed that the private home under consideration was not suitable.' There was no alternative but to go ahead with the new hospital, on a cheaper design than the one of £32,000 first considered. Seconding the motion, Mrs Grigg said that besides unsuitable accommodation for patients at Malvern Home, there was a great lack of facilities for the nurses to carry out their duties as efficiently as desired. An amendment moved by Mr W. H; Wilkinson, that the board first negotiate with the Health Department about hospital rating, was defeated. Messrs Gallagher and Wilkinson opposed the motion. Members stated that since it seemed that the instructions that maternity patients from Methven and • Rakaia should be persuaded to go to their own hospitals had not been carried out at Malvern Home and something more definite should be done. Mrs Grigg said it placed too heavy a responsibility on the matron, but it was decided to give instructions that when Malvern Home was likely to be crowded, bookings from Methven and Rakaia should be refused.