MATERNITY HOSPITAL

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XLIII, Issue 2568, 22 April 1922, Page 3

MATERNITY HOSPITAL

DEPUTATION TO HOSPITAL BOARD

A deputation from the Ellesmere district waited on the North Canterbury Hospital Board on Wednesday to ask that a maternity hospital be established at Leeston.

Mi- J. Cunningham, chairman of the Ellesmere County Council, who headed the deputation, said that the board had had the hospital on its estimates for some years. The people of the district felt that the need for such an institution was urgent, and that the district had as good a claim to a maternity hospital as other districts where the board had established such hospitals.

Dr B. Volckman stated that there were from 95 to 100 maternity cases in the district each year, apart from a large number treated in Christchurch. The medical practitioners had to treat many cases in the patients' own homes, and wherever complications occurred they were "up against it." There was no trained nurse in the district. Mr F. Horrell asked the deputation whether or not the district was prepared to find one third of the" cost, as other districts had done.

Mr Cunningham replied that it was impossible, at the present time, to raise the money by voluntary subscription. The money could be obtained by rate or loan, but it would bear no Government subsidy. The residents felt that the

hospital would really be an extension of the Christchurch Hospital, and should be paid for out of the board 's general, funds, to which they contributed. ' . After the deputation had retired discussion took place on the question whether the district was entitled to the benefit of a hospital without making a special contribution to the cost. Several speakers raised the point that the board had provided a maternity hospital at Rangiora without requiring a ! monetary contribution. '•■ ,The chairman pointed out that tho Rangiora hospital was a temporary one, established because a private maternity home had closed. After the deputation left. Mr 3. Andrew moved that the matter bo referred to the Policy Committee. He thought that the board "should alter its policy in regard to establishing country hospitals. Country residents paid their rates and should have their hospitals.

The chairman said the matter was one of finance, and should be referred to the finance committee. After considerable discussion Mr M. Beth ell moved an amendment in that direction.

Mr W. P. Spencer said the time was coming when the rates would have to be according to the benefits received. Under the present system the country districts were not receiving a fair deal. Mrs Herbert considered that the Ellesmere people should be treated as Rangiora had been, and that if they found a house the board should establish the hospital, a view with which the chairman (Mr Sorensen) concurred. Mr W. E. Leadley expressed the opinion that the question of public health should come before finance. Mr'Bethell's amendment was carried. The matter will therefore be gone info again at the next meeting of the Hospital Board.