HOSPITAL NEEDS

Evening Post, Issue 50, 27 August 1935, Page 13

HOSPITAL NEEDS

THE HUTT VALLEY

PETONE MAYOR'S VIEWS

Ah invitation to attend a conference of representatives from the Upper Hutt, Lower Hutt, Petone, and Eastbourne Boroughs and the Hutt .County to discuss the hospital needs of the Hutt Valley was received^ at the meeting of the Petone Borough" Council last evening from the Lower Hutt Borough Council.

The Mayor (Mr. A. ScholeQeld) said the time hadcome when' consideration should be given to the whole hospital services as they affected the Valley. The present population of the Valley was approxirrifw'y 32,000 (city 146,000), and it was continuously increasing. In | the opinion of many there would even-' tually be a Hospital in the Valley. The question then arose of what type of hospital should 'be selected and wheii the first portion should be erected. Even if a hospital were erected in Lower Hutt immediately, many cases, owing to the hospital's limited scope, ■ would still have to go to Wellington, ! but the gradual growth of a valley hospital and its facilities would diminish to a great extent the necessity to attend Wellington Hospital. Unless a resident'medical officer'were living oh the premises the , services of a doctor would not be always available. Accident cases in Petone would not reach hqspital much sooner than if they went to Wellington. Undoubtedly there was a disadvantage to visitors in having to go into the city to see friends in hospital. The question of providing immediate improvement in medical service, nursing, and transport could be considered without the immediate erection of a hospital. Should it be decided to establish a hospital for'the Valley the following points would have to be* considered: capital cost, maintenance costs, type or types of services to be provided, the best location, the type of building, and the minimum portion that could be erected for a start that would give the services at minimum cost.' These points could no doubt be discussed with profit by the council's representative at the proposed conference.

Councillor E. T. E. Hogg stated that the Wellington Hospital had the great advantage of centralisation, and of having all the specialists in the city hospital, but there would also be an advantage in having certain types of hospital in. the Valley. The request might be made to the Lower Hutt Borough Council to invite, a responsible officer of the hospital to attend the conference.

Councillor J. Huggan expressed the opinion that if a hospital were built it should jiot be in the Valley,- but at Belmont or Normandale. '

■ The Mayor and Councillor Hogg were appointed to.represent the council at the conference.