ST. GEORGE’S HOSPITAL

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30884, 18 October 1965, Page 17

ST. GEORGE’S HOSPITAL

New Surgical Block

Considerable development Is expected with the new surgical block at St. George’s Hospital next year, according to the annual report of the president (Dr. L. C. L. Averill). The new block will be 84ft long and will include a laundry. The purchase of additional land has made it possible to avoid any interruption in the use of existing theatres until the new ones are ready.

Work on hospital fire precautions should also be completed in the coming year, the report says. A contract for £9OO has been let to install smoke-stop doors, and to glass in the stairways.

The report speaks of an important development in insurance for those who wish to be treated by the doctor of their own choice. Recently, it says, a Christchurch man who had paid £62 5s for three weeks’ hospital care for his wife received a cheque of £5O back from the insurance company. The scheme is firmly established in Auckland and Wellington and is making good progress in Christchurch.

The hospital had 2807 patients last year, compared with 2740 the previous year. There were 2720 operations, compared with 2653. Births at the hospital were down last year to 668, compared with 760 the year before. Since the beginning of the year, members of Christchurch garden clubs have arranged the flowers in the hospital hall and waitingroom.