New wing at private hospital

Press, 19 December 1981, Page 19

New wing at private hospital

Patients at the Parklands private geriatric hospital in Papanui Road, had their Christmas party in the hospital’s new, half-finished wing.

Although the wing was not expected to be completed

before May next year, the workmen had gone “all out" to finish the lounge in time for the party, said the hospital's manager and principal nurse. Mr W. L. Pearce. The new wing will house a hydro-therapy pool, staff, more elderly people, and as well as the lounge, a smokers' room. It will be two-storey and built of concrete block and stained wood.

The extensions were begun in 1975 but were delayed for several years because of financial problems. Meanwhile, with rising costs of materials and labour, the estimated cost of the new wing has risen from $350,000 to more than $500,000. The foundations were left for several years because some of the then directors were involved in the Chateau Commodore proceedings. But a new board of directors has privately raised $600,000 for the wing.

Mr Pearce said that the hospital was trying to forget that part of its history and was now looking to the future. The extensions were going well, and everyone had had a good time at the Christmas party, he said.

The elderly people had been excited to have their party in the new lounge. About 230 people had attended, including 57 patients. The new wing will bring the number of beds in the hospital to 92.