Whataroa Hospital

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30511, 5 August 1964, Page 16

Whataroa Hospital

Sir,—l do hope the closure of the Whataroa Hospital for general cases is temporary. Whoever is responsible cannot know our plight when accident or sickness strikes. Having to pass a hospital expertly staffed—and sometimes empty—to go over a winding, mountainous, and at present dangerous road could cost lives if allowed to continue. Apart from the fact that there are numbers of young children in the vicinity, what of the large numbers of tourists we are told to expect on completion of the Haast-Otago road? They should be warned. Hoping we in this isolated area may again soon enjoy full use of our very necessary amenity. —Yours, etc., MOTHER. July 27, 1964. [The secretary of the Westland Hospital Board (Mr W. M. Harris) replies: “For the admission of both general and maternity patients the Whataroa Hospital does not meet the requirements of the Obstetrical Regulations, 1963. and the board is awaiting advice on the matter from the Director-General of Health, However, no restriction is being made in the use of this hospital in any cases of emergency. It should be understood, however, that in any major accident or serious emergency the WTiataroa Hospital can only be used for urgent resuscitation and treatment pending transfer to a properly staffed and equipped hospital.”]