MENTAL HOSPITAL BUILDINGS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27441, 30 August 1954, Page 9

MENTAL HOSPITAL BUILDINGS

FURTHER EXTENSIONS AT CHERRY FARM PROGRAMME OUTLINED BY MINISTER (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 28. The Government was making every effort to overcome the shortage of accommodation in mental hospitals, said the Minister of Health (Mr J. R. Marshall), when he announced that approval had been given for the building of two more 50-patient villas at Cheery Farm, Otago. A villa of the same type had recently been opened at the Sunnyside Hospital, and two others at the Porirua Hospital would be occupied within a month, said the Minister. He realised that the Government had approved in principle in November, 1950, the erection of a mental hospital at Cherry Farm. Since then two 50-patient villas had been built and occupied. Four others were nearing completion. Two smaller villas had also been built. Mr Marshall said the building programme for 1954-55 included, in addition to the two Cherry Farm villas just approved, a start on villas at Tokanui, Lake Alice, Levin Farm, and Sunnyside Hcspital. The type of 50-patient villa now being built was a complete selfcontained unit, consisting of three main wards or dormitories and kitchen, dining, and recreational facilities, the Minister said.