HOSPITAL EXTENSIONS

Evening Star, Issue 22684, 25 June 1937, Page 16

HOSPITAL EXTENSIONS

IMPORTANCE OF SOUND PLANNING EXPERT ADVICE NEEDED POSSIBLE USE OF TALBOYS HOME AREA “ That, in view of the number and class’ of buildings likely to be erected to meet modern requirements, the Otago Hospital Board, in conjunction with the Health Department, appoint an expert or experts to report: (1) On a general planning -.cheme to be followed on Dunedin Hospital site; (2) the advisability, or otherwise, of utihsing the Talboys Homo land for future secondary hospital, and the acquiring of other land on nhich to erect a home.” This motion was brought forward at last night’s meeting of the Hospital Hoard by Mr A. F. Quelch, who said that in various parts of the world hospital authorities had found that buildings erected piecemeal at different times did not now provide the desired facilities, as well as being inconvenient, uneconomic, and inefficient. To overcome these difficulties, in most instances, expert advice had been followed. The Birmingham authorities, after most earnest _ consideration, scrapped their old hospitals and went in for a scheme' which, when completed, would, it was estimated, cost £1,250,000. In New Zealand recently Southland did something practically similar, on a smaller scale, of course, and erected a complete new hospital block, continued Mr Quelch. The Auckland Hospital Board secured the services of a well-known Sydney firm of architects and engineers, and, on their advice, proposed to carry out extensive alterations and additions. The Wellington Board was s’milarly advised, and now intended to make considerable additions and alterations. The Christchurch Board had a largo building scheme ahead. At Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch the cost of the proposed buildings would run into some hundreds of thousands of pounds. Mr Quelch said that the Otago Board was now called upon to consider necessary additions to the Nurses’ Homo, at an estimated cost of £15,000, a new massage department, and the erection of a new out-patients’ department. Following ■ these buijdings, a subway under Cumberland street, connecting the Hospital and Nurses’ Home grounds, would ho required. Later, possibly, consideration must be given to the transfer of the board’s office and stores to a building to bo erected on acquired land near flic Hospital. Already some sections had been secured on the frontage to Cumberland street, between the Nurses’ Home and Hanover street corner, while authority had been obtained to purchase or take under the Public Works Act all the land required for hospital purposes, extending back to Castle street. It had to be remembered that the Otago Hospital Board’s district had a relatively small capital value for a metropolitan hospital, and it behoved board members to make every elfort to keep down maintenance costs in the interests of the ratepayers. This in some measure could be done by good planning. Most of the wards at the Dunedin Hospital wore connected by corridors, the cleaning and repairs entailing considerable expense. In this respect scattered buildings entailed more expense, while the modern style of building aiming at concentration tended to curtail expense. The wards at the Dunedin Hospital were built on various parts of a four-acre block, and the inpatients might be numbered at about 350. Those members of the hospital staff who had to go daily from ward to ward might have some idea of the distance walked and the time taken to do so. The erection of buildings at different times had brought this about. .Dunedin was by no means singular in this direction, and like conditions prevailed at other large centres. However, the Auckland. Wellington, and Christchurch Boards were endeavouring to effect improvements. “ The main building at the Talboys Horae is in such a condition that it will be necessary to have it replaced at an early date,” said Mr Quelch. “ About 25 years ago it was intended to erect a secondary hospital, and land was procured for the purpose. Later it was decided not to proceed with the project, and the land was sold. I revive this matter as being the proper time to do so, as it has a direct bearing on the future building scheme at the Dunedin Hospital site and the possible necessity of securing land for a new home, it must bo obvious to board members that the time has arrived when the best available expert advice should be obtained. The Health Department is in contact with experts who have tendered advice to the larger hospital boards, and will be in a position to render our hoard valuable assistance and guidance.” Several members were absent from last night’s meeting, and Mr I). M'Lennan suggested that the motion should be held over for consideration by the full board. This was agreed upon.