LISTER HOME

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21899, 18 December 1945, Page 2

LISTER HOME

IMPROVEMENTS URGED

DEPARTMENT’S REPORT

In order to bring the Lister Maternity Home into alignment with certain prescribed standards for such institutions the Cook Hospital Board yesterday referred the matter of the addition of necessary facilities, alterations and improvements to its maternity home committee.

The need for this work being done was brought to the notice of the board in the report of the acting medical officer of health. Dr. Lewis, prepared following an inspection of Lister Hospital recently. It was pointed out that in a number of respects the home did not comply with the standards set down for maternity homes. For instance, a room 19ft. by 12ft. would not accommodate 15 babies on the basis of 30 square feet per baby as was prescribed in the regulations. Space generally was cramped, stated the report, but it was realised that there were unusual circumstances due to the prevailing difficult times and certain of the less necessary reforms might be adiustea to satisfy under present conditions although these would not be strictly in accordance with the standards and, no doubt, would have to be completed at a later Certain essential* improvements would have to be made immediately. The board appreciated the position, but felt that the proposals • should ne further gone into and for this reason the matter was referred to the maternity home committee.