GERALDINE HOSPITAL

Press, Volume C, Issue 29497, 26 April 1961, Page 15

GERALDINE HOSPITAL

Discussion On Future

The time for words had passed; the time for action had come, said the chairman of the Geraldine District Hospital Committee (Mr D. C. McKechnie) who headed a three-man deputation to the monthly meeting of the South Canterbury Hospital Board on Monday to discuss general hospital beds for Geraldine, and the future of the old maternity hospital on the hill. The board adopted a resolution, proposed by the deputy chairman (Mr W. J. Fletcher) that it seek permission for the architect to report on the possibility of converting the former maternity hospital to a Talbot-type hospital for the aged, chronic, and nursing cases with additions to provide for from 16 to 20 beds.

"Geraldine is worthy of that support,” Mr Fletcher said.

Mr McKechnie sasd the committee was "deeply concerned” that no provision had yet been made for chronic, aged, and nursing cases. This provision had been promised by the department and by the board 16 yean ago, he added.

“In the wide and prosperous area north of Timaru there is no provision of any public beds for sick persons compared with 66 general beds at Waimate," said Mr McKechnie. What was required was In the nature of the Talbot-type hospital for aged, chronic and nursing cases, it was submitted. Urgent Needs The deputation urged that the board seek permission for its arcHteot to report on the possibility of converting the vacant maternity hospital for such a purpose. This would probably meet the most urgent needs of the district for many years. Mr McKechnie said. The deputation said the ultimate asm of the committee was to have general hospital facilities at "The Pines" site, but there was likely to be some delay in the further development of the site for these facilities. The other members of the deputation were the Mayor of Geraldine (Mr C. S. Davies) and the chairman of the Geraldine County Council (Mr A. J. Davey).