RAPID GROWTH OF GERALDINE

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27904, 28 February 1956, Page 16

RAPID GROWTH OF GERALDINE

“MORE HOSPITAL BEDS NEEDED”

The rapid growth of Geraldine was mentioned by the chairman (Mr D. C. McKechnie). in a report to the Geraldine District Hospital Committee on a decision by the Health Department not to proceed with the new maternity block on a site purchased for hospital development at Geraldine. “The most vital need in the Geraldine district today is the 20-bed district hospital promised by the South Canterbury Hospital Board and two Ministers of Health,” he told the committee.

Official statistics revealed that Geraldine had the biggest percentage growth of population of any town south of the Auckland province. Even before the absorption of Raukapuka, Geraldine had shown double the percentage growth of any town in South Canterbury, said Mr McKechnie.

In 10 years Geraldine had grown from 930 to 1630 people, and the immediate district was growing too; he said. The population of the geographical county had increased from 8680 to 9170, despite a steady decline in rural population in other areas because of farm mechanisation An indication of phenomenal growth was the doubling of the Geraldine High School roll in five years, Mr McKechnie said.

With irrigation, subdivision and other developments, this steady growth was likely to continue, he said. Business firms were providing and planning shops, to meet the demands of the rapidly growing population. It was reasonable, that the Health Department should do the same, he claimed.

In 1945-46, the average' daily occupied maternity beds at Geraldine Hospital were 2.7 and 2.6 respectively. In the last five years they had been 4.5 3.8. 3.5, 3.7 and 4.2. said Mr McKechnie. Bed availability was less at Geraldine than either at Waimate or Temuka maternity hospitals, he said. The hospital was over-loaded at two neriods. patients had to be sent to Temuka. There was no margin fo r future growth. Waimate had 15 beds available, with a daily average of 7.74 for the last five years; Temuka had 9 beds, with a daily average of 3.96: Geraldine had only six beds, with a daily average of 3.94. Last year’s daily average was 4.2. 'The continued growth of Geraldine, he said, was shown in the average birth rate for throe successive fiveyear periods, ending last year. These were 63.4 annually, and in later periods increased to 97.2 annually, and 102.2 annually. They were still increasing last year when* 107 births were recorded.