ST. HELENS TRANSFER

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30192, 25 July 1963, Page 15

ST. HELENS TRANSFER

Board Policy Outlined Steps in the coming transformation of St Helens Hospital into “the women’s hospital of Christchurch,” afte* its transfer to the North Canterbury Hospital Board and its assumption of the gynaecological work of the board, were outlined yesterday by the chairman of the board (Dr. L. C. L. Averill).

The first stage was the provision of 60 beds in the wing now under construction. which would thus be a maternity pavilion, said Dr. Averill. It had been intended that this should be ready for the transfer from the Health Department on April 1 next year, but the transfer might have to be postponed because of the building delay caused by the present dispute between the carpenters and builders. The other two building projects under way at the hospital—the new nurses’ home and the new boiler house—were not expected to be ready by April 1 in any case. After the maternity pavilion was opened, the second stage of transformation would take place—the transfer of the gynaecological services of the board to St. Helens. Among the additional facilities to be provided, or existing facilities to be modified, were a milk room, central sterilising unit, pre-mature-baby room, space for gynaecological outpatients, and the modification of operating theatres for surgery. To co-ordinate the transfer arrangements, an “integration committee" was set up comprising medical and nursing staffs of the board and the hospital, board members, and the Medical Officer of Health.

Hospital News In Brief

A revised schedule of equipment costing £18.046 for the new Burw'ood Hospital theatre block has been approved by the Health Department. This advice was given to the North Canterbury Hospital Board yesterday. Matron Entertained.—-Mira J. Gourdie, the new matron of the Huntebury Children’s Home, was entertained at morning tea by the board. Record Paas Figure*.—The number of student nurses passing their final examination from the Christchurch School of Nursing in June was 91, a record number. Of seven others who sat, five gained partial passes. In the first professional examination, all but one of the 09 who sat were sueceMfuh