Cashmere Hospital May Be Opened In July Or August

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28754, 27 November 1958, Page 11

Cashmere Hospital May Be Opened In July Or August

The prospect of the new Cashmere Public Hospital being opened either at the end of July or early in August next year was held out by the chairman (Dr. L. C. L. Averill) at a meeting of the North Canterbury Hospital Board yesterday. The nurses’ home, the last building to be begun, would be handed over by the contractors by the end of May. said Dr. Averill. The installing of furniture and equipment would take two months. The board was getting to the stage when an opening date, within a week or two, could be fixed.

“We want a sunny day at the end of July or the beginning of August,” he added.

The newly-appointed medical superintendent (Dr. R. C. S. Dick) and the lady superintendent (Miss Jean Taylor) of the Cashmere Public Hospital were entertained at morning tea by the board. They afterwards attended the board meeting, when Dr. Averill not only congratulated them but wished them the best of luck in the responsible positions. The name of the Cashmere hospital had been before the board for years he said, and the board was expecting big things of it and that it would play a very important part in hospital activities in Canterbury.

The appointments were of importance not only to the board but all the residents, said Dr. Averill. The board had every confidence in the appointees. The board was getting near the time of fixing an approximate opening date. By agreement with the Health Department, the two appointees would take over three months before the actual opening date. Before that, their assistance would be appreciated at the numerous committees and discussions on the comissioning of the hospital. After years of planning and work, the board was on the eve of opening the hospital, said Mr L. Christie. The buildings would be, possibly, second to none in the world and the equipment was the most modern which could be purchased. No matter how good were the buildings and equipment, the staff was the most important thing in a hospital. He was confident that the appointees would ensure sound administration.

Both Miss Taylor and he were thrilled with the prospects, replied

Dr. Dick. Both would be at the board’s service at any time before the appointment dates were reached.