Lyndhurst Delay Criticised

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31225, 24 November 1966, Page 19

Lyndhurst Delay Criticised

Delay in Health Department approval for necessary alterations at Lyndhurst Hospital, including questions on the need for fire sprinkler systems, was criticised by Miss M. B. Howard at yesterday’s meeting of the North Canterbury Hospital Board.

“Someone should be stirred up over this for not getting on with the job,” she said. Here was a case of putting aged people into an old building. The department was raising the question of installing a sprinkler system. Surely geriatric patients were entitled to the very best fire protection. “We have had Lyndhurst for over a year,” Miss Howard said. This question was being raised when old people were living in a potential fire hazard not far from there.

“We should tell the department it is absolutely necessary,” she said.

Lyndhurst consisted of one storey and there should not be any great difficulty in getting people out if there was a fire, said the chairman, Dr. L. C. L. Averill. The Health Department had proposed a fire detection system, as well as hoses and reels. The board should not press too hard for sprinklers. However, it should make sure that the fire precautions were in accordance with the fire prevention officer's requirements.

New Dental Department A new dental department for Christchurch Hospital is planned. The Health Department has told the North Canterbury Hospital Board that a proposal would be submitted to the Hospital Works Committee.

The board proposes to appoint architects and engineering consultants, it was reported at yesterday’s meeting.