COBALT UNIT AT HOSPITAL

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27592, 24 February 1955, Page 6

COBALT UNIT AT HOSPITAL

REARRANGEMENT OF

SOME OFFICES

REPORT ON BUILDING PLAN

The proposed construction of the cobalt 60 beam therapy unit at the Christchurch Hospital has made necessary the rearrangement of some of the hospital’s existing departments. At a meeting of the North Canterbury Hospital Board yesterday, the building committee reported that the sketch plans for the new building adjoining the present radiotherapy department in the dietitians’ courtyard had been approved in principle by the Department of Health. The proposed building would occupy a substantial part of the courtyard, and would give access to the radiotherapy department directly from the main hospital corridor.

The Prime Minister (Mr Holland) had suggested that the building should be ready for an official opening in September, the committee said, but according to the board’s architect, it was unlikely that the building would be available for occupation much before the end of 1955.

The location of the new building had led to the rearrangement of offices there at present, the report said. Space had been found and plans approved for the erection of dietitians* offices, the second assistant matron’s office, and accommodation for afternoon supervisors, against the tin corridor beside Wards 7 and 8. A building would be erected above the present sun-deck to Ward 6 to provide rest and change rooms for the dispensary and orthopaedic department staff.

These buildings must be available before work could begin on the cobalt unit building, the report said. Work would have to go ahead with the utmost urgency. In the board’s preliminary capital proposals for 1955-56, £12,500 is allowed for building the cobalt therapy department, and £30,000 for the cobalt unit and accessories. The secretary (Mr A. Prentice) explained that although the unit was the gift of Sir Arthur Sims, the order had been placed by the board, and would have to be included in the capital expenditure figures.