Private hospital for aged opened

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32779, 2 December 1971, Page 14

Private hospital for aged opened

Bethesda, a private medical and convalescent hospital for the aged, was officially opened yesterday afternoon by the Medical Officer of Health in Christchurch (Dr L. F. Jepson).

The hospital, in Harewood Road, is named after the Biblical spring of healing outside the walls of Jerusalem. It has 32 patients and a staff of 29, including a matron, sub-matron, and eight registered nurses. Dr Jepson told the crowd who attending the opening that the hospital was aptly named. During a recent visit to Israel, he had seen the different approach to the medical aspect of care. In Israel, 7 per cent of people over the age of 65 were under residential care, whereas in New Zealand this figure was 3 per cent. “But, of course, Israel has a very open immigration policy,” Dr Jepson said. In New. Zealand, private hospitals were responsible for 80 per cent of elderly people under care. The opening soon of the new geriatric wing at Princess Margaret Hospital would be an extra impetus to care for the aged in Christchurch.

Dr Jepson congratulated Mr R. A. Ball, who planned and built the hospital from personal funds, the matron (Mrs- K. O’Neill), and the staff.

Bethesda, standing in 98 perches of landscaped garden, has been specially planned with the needs of the aged and infirm in mind. The spacious building of 8500 sq. ft has modem kitchen, dining, and lounge facilities, one sixbed ward, and a number of single and double rooms. Patients are recommended to the hospital by their own doctors. Special provision

has been made for husbands and wives who are in need of care. Patients are expected to pay for their care and accommodation. Mr Ball was engaged in farming with an elderly couple for many years. After he retired from the land, he worked as a nurse at Templeton Hospital. Bethesda was built at a cost of about $150,000. The photograph shows Dr Jepson and the matron (Mrs K. O’Neill) speaking to patients and nurses.