APPROVAL GIVEN

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31731, 15 July 1968, Page 13

APPROVAL GIVEN

Health Department approval has been given for extensions to the Christchurch Hospital radiotherapy department and geriatric wards and occupational therapy department at Princess Margaret Hospital. Both of these projects should be opened to tender within the next few months, the secretary of the North Canterbury Hospital Board (Mr J. G. Laurenson) states in his annual report.

In view of economic conditions, the board has found itself unable to proceed as quickly as it wished with all the projects that it had in hand, he stated. After a thorough review and discussions with the director-general of health, the following order of priority had been established: Radiotherapy department extensions; Princess Margaret Hospital geriatric wards and occupational therapy department; new dental department; Burwood Hospital kitchen and dining rooms; and Coronation Hospital new boilerhouse. Major Works “This priority list covered works in planning,” Mr Laurenson stated. Concurrently a number of major works, such as the Christchurch Hospital accident and emergency departments, were in course of construction. “The board’s Intention is to press on with these works at the earliest possible moment as loan funds become available and the department permits so that they may be under way by the time the major work, the new ward and clinical services blocks at Christchurch Hospital, goes to tender early next year. To Tender “The board has approval for the first two Items, both of which should be opened to tender within the next few months. The remainder will require further departmental approval following a six months’ deferment last December. Provided however that loan money is

available it is not expected there will be much delay on these other projects. Priority “By April 1 a substantial portion of the new year’s grant had been committed and care will be required in programming works to ensure priority for the most urgent and necessary, while at the same time retaining a reasonable volume of capital work for the board’s own staff. A list of priorities of all items on the capital works and equipment programme is being prepared.” Planning Mr Laurenson stated that although priorities were being established in both loan and grant capital works and efforts were being concentrated on these, other works would have to be considered and possibly planning would have to commence. “Although this has its financial embarrassment, it is a welcome and encouraging sign that in a lively and progressive hospital there is no stage when one can say that there are no fresh projects to undertake,” he said.