N.S.W. HOSPITAL

Hokitika Guardian, 3 August 1935, Page 6

N.S.W. HOSPITAL

A VIGOROUS PROGRAMME SYDNEY, August 1. The New South Wales Government, in its loan estimates to be submitted to Parliament in September, will provide for a, vigorous hospital programme. It is estimated that the expenditure for the financial year 1935-36 will he about £250,000, the same as for 1934-35. An aerial ambulance for the western districts and an extension of dental clinics arc included in the programme. A railway travelling dental clinic, the first of its kind in Australia, is proposed.

An ambitious scheme to extend the Prince 'Henry Hospital, formerly known as the Coast Hospital, lias been adopted by the Government. It is aimed at making the hospital one of the largest and best-equipped in the State. The nursing and medical staffs are to be greatly increased. In a scheme, of five years’ development nearly £500,000 will be sp'dnt. on new buildings and. equip-, input, jlljho older buildings will be replaced B’y liew blocks, and it is believed that when completed the institution will be the most important hospital unit in Australia. With a view to decentralising services, the Hospitals Commission has adopted a system of base hospitals at suitable centre s in country districts. Base hospitals are already established at four centres. At the base hospitals, pathological units will be provided and staffed for ready diagnosis and treatment of disease. The Government will also build maternity wards furnished with the most modern equipment. Separate units at general hospitals are to be provided for children. Clinics for investigating infants’ and children’s diseases will be considered where necessary. The Government is at present equipping a clinic for paralysed children. "