HOSPITAL BUILDINGS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXI, Issue 15333, 16 June 1910, Page 3

HOSPITAL BUILDINGS.

COMPREHENSIVE SCHEME ADVOCATED. PROVISION FOR ADVANCED CONSUMPTIVES. A clause in tho report of the Hospital Committee, presented to the North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board at its meeting yesterday, gave rise to a lengthy discussion on the building programme to bo undertaken by the Board. Tho committee submitted a rough sketch and ground plan of a proposed addition to the nurses’ home. The employment of outsido nurses who could not be accommodated in the buildings was increasingly expensive and tho nursing staff would bo largely increased by the opening of tho new ward and contemplated establishment of a ward for consumptive patients. Tho plan provided for fifty-one additional rooms at a roughly estimated cost.of £5500, and would probably bo adequate for the needs of at least a decade. The committee recommended that a special building in wood, to accommodate sixteen consumptive patients who were in an advanced stage, should he erected in the north-west portion of the grounds. Money had been voted on the estimates, and the committee rocommended that the work should bo proceeded with immediately. Mr W. W. Tanner, chairman of the committee, moved tho adoption of the clause relating to the nurses’ home. Mr C. Allison strongly opposed the prosecution of the work • immediately, as he considered there was no need for an additional building as proposed. He proposed that the clause should bo referred back to the committee for further consideration in consultation with the matron.

The amendment was seconded by Mr J. H. Davison. Mr R. Moore said that before any further permanent buildings were undertaken, the Board should prepare a comprehensive building scheme that would be a sufficient programme for several years. Mr Tanner denied that any attempt had been made to forco the Board to undertake the work. There had been ample time for every member of the Board to become thoroughly familiar with the matter. If the Board intended to wait until it had before it a building programme to cover three years, it would effect very little. Mr Allison said that sixteen nurses could bo accommodated in the residence occupied by the medical superintendent, which would shortly be vacated, and’ the matron had stated that thirteen others could be provided for in a portion of the old administrative buildings. Mr Tanner said that that portion of the buildings referred to had been occupied for years by consumptive patients, and latterly by diphtheiitic patients. He described the proposal as typical of the hand-to-rnoutli policy urged by some members. Mr Moore expressed an opinion that the matter should be referred to tho Policy Committee. Tho amendment Aas carried by ten votes to eight. Mr Moore then proposed that the Policy Committee should be associated with the Hospital Committee in reconsidering the matter. Mr Tanner remarked that, with the exception of Mr Sorensen, every mombet of tho two committees had approved of the Hospital Committee’s recommendations.

Mr W. P. Spencer urged the raising of a loan of, say, £40,(X)0, to provide for all tho permanent buildings required. Mr Davison also aporoved of the proposal that a comprehensive scheme should bo framed, and he suggested that competitive designs should bo invited for the buildings required. The Rev W, J. L. Closs said that the effect of the motion was that the two committees were to be instructed to reconsider tho matter and allow their opinions to be swayed by that of tho matron. Mr Tanner said the matron had been asking for tho buildings for two years past. Mr Moore then proposed a further amendment that the two committees should draft a comprehensive scheme of buildings and report to the following meeting of the Board. This was carried unanimously. The Board then considered the recommendation of tho Hospital Committee regarding tho provision of temporary accommodation for advanced cases of consumption. Tho secretary read a report submitted to the Hospital Committee by tho chairman of tho honorary staff, Dr Acland. He recommended that the committee should draw up a largo scheme for the rebuilding of tho Hospital involving an up-to-date administrative department and providing for the gradual replacement of Wards 4, 5 and 6 by twostoreyed pavilions similar to the wards at present being constructed. It was suggested that the present was a particularly favourable time, owing to the death of the late King, as a King Edward ufcmorial might well take tho form of a rebuilding scheme for tho Christchurch Hospital. Mr Allison objected to the proposal to erect consumption shelters in the Hospital grounds. He proposed that the clause should be reiorred to the Hospital and Policy Committees, with power to make immediate temporary provision, by means of small shelters, for advanced cases. The amendment was negatived by the casting voto of the chairman, and tho committee’s recommendation adopted.