GERIATRIC WARDS ‘HIGH PRIORITY’

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31378, 25 May 1967, Page 9

GERIATRIC WARDS ‘HIGH PRIORITY’

The project had the highest priority, said Mr L. A. Bennett, when the North Canterbury Hospital Board was told at its meeting yesterday that a total estimated cost of £281,600 had been received for two geriatric wards and an occupational therapy department at Princess Margaret Hospital.

The question of urgency for the work was raised by Miss B. Webb, who said that it was becoming more and more apparent that the Health Department’s policy was not to allow nursing-care beds in welfare homes. This must place a strain on the hospital to care for these cases. She had heard five years mentioned as the completion date for the geriatric wards. Mr Bennett said he did not know where the five years had come from. There would be no delay with plans, as plans used elsewhere would be available.

On Wednesday, in Wellington, board officials had gone over the plans with the Health Department for the first time.

The board was meeting the architects on Friday to discuss modifications.

“The board accepts these wards as urgent, and we should get on with as little delay as possible,” said the chairman (Dr. L. C. L. Averill). The board decided that until working drawings for the two wards were completed, no further action be taken on the proposal to build a chapel at Princess Margaret Hospital. Salary Problem The reluctance of the Health Department to authorise a higher salary scale was preventing the appointment of a qualified geriatric physician, Mr J. B. Hay told the board. “If we could get the right man, it might result in a saving by keeping people out of hospital,” he said. It was reported that one applicant sought the post, but the salary scale prevented a firm application being made. “This has gone on for too long—-for five years,” said Miss Webb. It seemed that radiologists and pathologists, being a “scarce race,” commanded a higher scale, said the chief

medical superintendent (Dr. L. M. Berry). The board decided to ask the Health Department to reconsider its attitude.