ORDER OF URGENCY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 7, 8 July 1938, Page 10

ORDER OF URGENCY

A SATISFACTORY FEATURE

"I consider most of the recommendations of the Commission satisfactory, in that it has placed them in order of urgency which leaves the largest part of the building proposals open for further consideration by the board while more urgent extension can be given prior consideration,' said Mr. F. Castle, a member of the Hospital Board, of which formally he was chairman.

"Additional accommodation for the nurses and patients," Mr. Castle proceeded, "is the most urgent requirement, while the Lower Hutt proposals will have an important bearing on the number of patient-beds and nurses' bedrooms required at Newtown.

"If a 200-bed hospital at Lower Hutt is necessary, it will require about 100 nurses' bedrooms. I therefore regard the Lower Hutt Hospital as the major alternative at the present time, in so far as construction of permanent buildings is concerned. I think the Commission's recommendation of a small hospital—about 80 or 90 beds —at Lower Hutt is too small for the district. For adults', children's, and maternity purposes, at least 200 beds should be supplied in Lower Hutt.

"The so-called centenary block at Newtown will require a good deal of consideration, and, no doubt, considerable modification will be made before any plans are approved. Indeed, it would be reasonable to make the Lower Hutt proposal a centenary feature, for the Petone-Lower Hutt district was the site chosen for settlement on the shores of Port Nicholson nearly 100 years ago.

"With regard to the provision of additional patient-beds .at Newtown, the Commission recommends temporary wards until permanent buildings can be erected. This, I think, will be necessary, and I feel sure the

board will regard this as a matter of urgency in view of the large number of patients being treated at Newtown."