Hospital bed extensions

Press, 20 August 1982, Page 4

Hospital bed extensions

Akaroa Hospital has extended its services to allow general as well as maternity patients to receive treatment without travelling to Christchurch. A reallocation of beds has made three beds available to general patients. The hospital was formerly for maternity cases only. The addition to the building in Aylmer Valley was officially opened yesterday. The North Canterbury Hospital Board's information officer, Mr D. N. Dwyer, said that this would mean that persons with minor ailments could be nursed at Akaroa.

Patients in Christchurch hospitals might also be discharged early to complete their recuperation nearer home. The extensions were necessary to meet Government requirements that general and obstetrics patients be treated in separate areas. Although planned for some years, Mr Dwyer said that the extensions had been completed earlier because of a community contribution of $lO,OOO. The extension cost $25,638. The community contribution paid for an exterior ramp and car-parking. Money was

raised by personal donations, by the Akaroa Lions Club, the Akaroa Young Farmers’ Club, and the Akaroa County Council. Alterations include setting aside a practice suite for the medical superintendent, who formerly worked in rooms elsewhere in the township, and providing a clinical room, a waiting room, and an. area for the practice nurse. The alterations, said Mr Dwyer, would mean that health-care premises in the area would now be concentrated at the Akaroa Hospital.