Hospital development

Press, 27 June 1987, Page 20

Hospital development

The redevelopment of Christchurch Hospital will improve facilities rather than increase bed numbers. The Medical Superintendent-in-Chief, Dr R. A. Fairgray, makes this point in replying to a question from a correspondent. In a letter to the editor, B. T. Pollard writes: “For an expenditure of SB4M Christchurch Hospital will increase its number of beds avail-

able from the present 499 to 521 by 1994. The length of the present waiting lists continues to foster the development of private medical facilities. Is 22 the only increase in public beds planned for Christchurch by 1994?” Dr Fairgray replies: “At the outset it must be stressed that the board and its staff are delighted with the approval to redevelop Christchurch Hospital. The correspondent

should also be aware that the total number of hospital beds in the public and private sectors combined is determined centrally by the Government. At present the Canterbury Hospital Board area has, in the public and private sector, bed numbers which equate almost exactly with the guideline figures. “The Canterbury Hospital Board originally planned and asked that the redeveloped Christchurch Hospital would increase its total bed numbers. However, the then Government, and later the present Government, ruled that the rebuilding of Christchurch Hospital would be a replacement exercise only. There is, therefore, essentially no increase in bed numbers in the redeveloped hospital. “However, there will be considerable improvements in the facilities available. For example, there will be a markedly improved Emergency Department, more operating theatres and vastly improved ward facilities for both patients and staff. “It is hoped that the additional operating theatres, together with the modest increase in bed numbers, will ensure that the services under greatest pressure with respect to waiting lists, orthopaedics and urology, will provide a better service in the future than at present; thus helping to decrease the present waiting list. “The redevelopment of Christchurch Hospital is exciting news for the whole of Canterbury and there can be no doubt that hospital facilities and services will be improved when the new building is completed.”