LECTURE THEATRE FOR HOSPITAL

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27626, 5 April 1955, Page 9

LECTURE THEATRE FOR HOSPITAL

NEED EMPHASISED BY SUPERINTENDENT

“A doctor’s education never ceases. He has to be teaching or being taught the whole time, brushing his brains with men from overseas and from other hospitals,” said the North Canterbury Hospital Board’s medical superintendent (Dr. T. Morton) commenting yesterday on the need, for a lecture theatre at the hospital. The- lack of a properly-equipped clinical lecture theatre was seriously inconveniencing the staff at the hospital, said Dr. Morton, and he had found it impossible to arrange accommodation for a lecture course, lasting several weeks, to be given this year by a leading British physician. Several rooms had been used as temporary lecture rooms, said Dr. Morton. The physiotherapy department’s gymnasium had been used, but it was inconvenient, a room adjoining the St. Andrew’s outpatients’ department was too. far from a ward and was upstairs, and the nurses’ lecture room had to be ruled out because it was used during the day. For some time the North Canterbury Hospital Board has been asking the Government for a lecture theatre at the hospital. Last Week the annual conference of the Hospital Boards’ Association approved a remit seeking permission for metropolitan boards to spend money on lecture theatres. The Health Department has, held the view that it had no power to deal with the matter, and that a grant should be obtained from the Education Department.

There is no suitable site' at the hospital for a theatre. The only possible place is between wards nine and 12, and if that was taken it would take away a play area for child Satients. A tiered theatre is included i the plans for the Cashmere Hospital, but a more central theatre will still be required lor nursing staff, medical students, post-graduate classes, professorial courses, lectures by visiting specialists and possibly for clinical meetings of the British Medical Association.