HOSPITAL BUILDINGS

Evening Star, Issue 22953, 10 May 1938, Page 3

HOSPITAL BUILDINGS

THE WELLINGTON INQUIRY [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, May 9. The case for the retention of the present site with development along the lines of centralisation of activities was presented on behalf of the local division of the British Medical Association to the Royal Commission which is investigating the Wellington Hospital Board’s building proposals and the present and prospective needs of the hospital district. Arguments for the provision of the community hospital type were submitted by Dr H. M, Luke, representing the local branch of the 8.M.A., and were supported by Dr T. D. M. Stout, representing the honorary staff of the hospital. Dr Luke said he considered that the building of a subsidiary hospital at Lower Hutt should not be considered until the base hospital in Wellington was constructed. The director of the division of hospitals, Department of Health (Dr R. A. Shore), who gave evidence last week, was cross-examined to-day. Replying to Mr M. R. O’Shea, he said he was of the opinion that the time would come when Hutt Valley should have a hospital, but he also believed that the provision of such a hospital should not be allowed to take precedence over the development of a base hospital. The considered opinion of the Health Department was that the present hospital was on the best site available, and should not be shifted further north.

The superintendent of hospitals (Dr A. R. Thome), whose evidence was taken last week, was under crossexamination when the commission adjourned till to-morrow.