ISOLATION BLOCK.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 16 November 1925, Page 9

ISOLATION BLOCK.

AT NEW HOSPITAL. A MATTER. TO BE FACED. The problem of the provision pf an isolation block at the new hospital was before the Hawera Hospital. Board again to-day, when it was suggested that immediate needs could be met by the expenditure of £IO,OOO on the nucleus of a permanent block. In an endeavour to keep down cost, however, the board decided to obtain an estimate of the cost of removal of part of the present hospital buildings to. the new The chairman (Mr F. W. G illanders) said that a rough estimate of the architects placed the cost of the nuceus of an isolation block to hold ten or twelve patients at £IO,OOO. The original estimate for a complete block, which was abandoned, was over £20,000. It was a- matter which had to he faced in some way or other, as the present position was that there was no provision for isolation cases at the new hosiptah The cost of the nucleus block would be borne equally by the Department and the board, providing, ot course, that the Department gave its approval to. the work. Mr E. J. Gifford suggetsed that expense could he cut down hy.huilding in wood, but the chairman pointed out that the matter would have to be tackled seriously later on, so that they might as well put- up whatever building they decided on in brick. Mr A. Campbell pointed out that ratepayers were already paying heavily in connection with the new hospital. To increase the rate would he a. serious matter. The chairman said that perhaps the bank would agree to payment by an extension of the time of the present rate of payments. In reply to inquiries by members as to the number of patients cared for in the isolation ward at the present hospital, the chairman said that in February last the ward contained eight patients. in March it contained the same number, in April, May. June and July it contained none at all, in August 3, and in September four. Mr G. W. Tayler suggested that the present annexe and additions to the nurses’ home, could he moved to the hew hospital site and utilised as an isolation . block. After consideration, the hoard decided to investigate the practicability of such a. step and obtain an estimate of the cost.