OLD PEOPLE’S HOME.

Grey River Argus, 30 May 1922, Page 6

OLD PEOPLE’S HOME.

SELECTED SITE APPROVED. INSPECTION BY II BALTI I M IN IST ER. Unsatisfactory conditions have for some time prevailed at the Old People’s Home and the Hospital Board have been anxious to settle the question of a suitable site on which to erect the now building. This was the chief matter which was placed before the Hon. C. J. Parr (Minister of Public Health) on the occasion of his visit here yesterday. As a result of the representations of the board the Minister agreed to the site required—the section adjoining the present Hospital. On a visit of inspection to the Hospital yesterday afternoon the following accompanied the Hon. (.’. J. Pair (Minister of Public IL-alth): Messrs W. J. De.atoll (private secretary), Dr Wylie (Director Division of Hospitals \ the M’ayor (Mr J. I). Lynch), .L Hannan (Miairni n of the Hospital Board), W. IL Parfitt, Kos Skoglund, F. Williams, J. Irvine, F. IL Denton, Revs. Cuttle and Farnell, and Miss IL Kilgour (secretary to the Hospital Board). The Minister was conveyed through the present Old People’s Home and wes shown the unsatisfactory conditions under which the old pioneers are existing. The building is in a terrible state, and although cle: n inside is no tit pi;. .* for. anyone to live in comfortably. Tf.'e Minister was welcomed to the Home by Mr Heaney, an old pioneer. After going through the building Mr Parr was taken out to the proposed new site, which was bought some time ago by the board for the purpose of erecting the new home. Mr Hannan explained the position to the Minister and stated that it w. s generally contended in Greymouth that this site was the most suitable one for the new home. The M inister said the department was very anxious not to commit themselves to anything that would prove a shortsighted policy. They did not want to cramp the hospital for space for possible future extension. It would be better if the home could have a piece of ground which would be utilised for cows, poultry, gardens, etc. This would help towards the maintenance. Mr Seddon: We have 13 acres clear here. Mr Parr continued and said he would agree to the site suggested as there appeared to bo ample room for hospital extension. Mr Parr later st: ted that he had learned more from the short visit to the site than he would have learnt from department files in 12 months. AT THE hospital. The Matron and Dr Lovell 'Greig conducted the Minister and party through the Hospital every department being inspected. Mr Parr congratulated the hospital authorities on being one of the first to establish the reform granting th-* nurses one free day per week. Very few hospitals in New Zealand work cd under this system, but it was gradually being introduced. Whilst congratulating the authorities he also pointed out the need for cleaning up the grounds surrounding the hospital, which, he said, badly needed attention. After the Matron had entertained the visitors to afternoon tea Mr Hannan referred to the subject of hospital maintenance fet»fl, lie suggested that the Act be amended to give the board power to collect maintenance fees from near relatives of patients who could not pry, providing the relatives were in good circumstances. Mr Parr said the question may be worthy of the attention of Parliament. However, he did not agree to making the clause too wide. It would be alI ght collecting from a son or father of ft patient, but not from a grandfather or some equally distant relation. Mr Hannan: The Magistrate could judge the circumstances of the case. In reply to the Mayor, Mr Parr said ft similar clause which related to mental hospitals was not extensive aind w:,B confined to immediate relations. He would give the matter consideration. MATERNITY CASES. Mr Hannan mentioned the fact that the Hospital Board had, in response to many requests, instituted Rewa Maternity Home and now it was not being patronised. The trouble was that they thought there were tuo many unregistered nurses in Greymouth, who were not complying with the Act. He thought tkere were two. On some occr sions the lorilvs had several cases in at once, which was contrary to the Art. Dr Wylie said they would have to loot Into that as they could not have nuv bnaehes of this kind. Mr Pit" said thev could not b<? to ° careful respect. The high rate of mortality in these c: ses led to a commission not and " as shown that in some* .eases, death due to the wretched (■on.’lu! I(,us 111 SO “ R ' of the private hospitals. of Lest ways of reducing the di'&Jl ,u 1 v.as to enforce stringent enndit.Olirl »• maternity homes. The people should 1 support their own home here. One or two minor matters were pirn’- | ed before the Minister by the Bos- j pitul Board ; nd he promised eonsidera- . tioa. A deputation consisting of Messrs | A. Bradley and F. Baldock, waited on the Minister last evening on behalf of the Kaiata Ratepayers’ Association protesting against the removal of the St. Helens district maternity nurse from the Oreymouth district. da reply to their representation Mr

Pan- said he was quite willing to so- ’ cure a subsidy to the extent of half the salary of tin- nurse, providing the Hospital Board would provide the otherhalf. lie expressed himself in opposition to the maternity cases being taken to private houses.