New site for F.P.A. clinic

Press, 1 September 1977, Page 12

New site for F.P.A. clinic

The Christchurch Family Planning Clinic is hopeful of moving to new premises in the Arts Centre. Last year’s plans for building a new clinic at Durham Street have been rejected because of cost.

The annual rent — excluding rates and electricity — was estimated to be nearly $20,000. The branch committee decided this was excessive, reports the president (Mrs Kaye Stokes). The lease of 280 sq m. in the old University Registry block had been approved in principle by the Arts Centre Board, says Mrs Stokes in her annual report. “I am confident that early in 1978 we will occupy our new clinic premises,” she

says. The Arts Centre site had many advantages, including its central location. The rent was reasonable, and the atmosphere pleasant. The clinic had another busy year with a record 1000 patients visiting in March. The total number of new patients from July, 1976, to June, 1977, was 2758. Of these 1066 were under 20 years of age. Patients were continuing to attend the clinic not only for contraception but also for breast checks, cancer smears, swabs for infection detection, pregnancy tests, and referral to other hospital and welfare services. Many patients attended because the clinic had woman doctors. Suburban clinics continued to grow. The Rangiora subbranch was running two sessions a month. The West Coast branch had become a sub-branch to Christchurch. A small group of speakers from the Christchurch branch continued to give talks and lectures when requested by schools, medical

students, trainee nurses, women’s groups, and at the Rolleston Detention Centre and Prison. The new premises would include a lecture room where films could also be shown.