Disabled to use Akaroa Hospital

Press, 12 February 1981, Page 4

Disabled to use Akaroa Hospital

Patient members of the Multiple Sclerosis Society have been, given* permission to use beds :ati''Akarpa'-Hos-pital for shorf-tejm 'accommodation under trie Disabled Persons’ Community Welfare Act, 1975. The North 'Canterbury Hospital Board-yesterday-ap-proved in principle a request by the director of the society in, Christchurch, ..Mr B. T. Hawkins, for the hospital to be; used by disabled pedpld. . It is. the first time that any of the board’s rural; hospitals have been approved for short-term use by disabled people. Burwood .. Hos-

pital and contractual beds at St John of God Hospital at Halswell are already used to give /some relief for those caring fori disabled people at home:”' ’’ " Mr Hawkins said yesterday that the board's support had been a breakthrough in helping disabled people and their families. 1 “It will help to - reduce the waiting list of those, going to Burwood Hospital for relief accommodation under the act. We hope this will make fuller use of the facilities provided by rural hospitals and also encourage support from service groups and church groups in Akaroa,” Mr Hawkins said.