£750,000 For Hospital Extensions

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 42, 19 February 1938, Page 2

£750,000 For Hospital Extensions

Wellington Proposal Before Conference VIEWS OF MR. T. O. A. HISLOP Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last. Night. Many aspects of the Wellington Hospital Board's £750,000 loan proposals for the new centenary block, additions to the nurses' home and for the erection of a boiler house were discussed at a conference of representatives of the Hospital Board, contributory local authorities and others at Parliament Buildings to-night. The conference was called by the Minister of Health, Hon. P. Fraser, who presided. The Minister, in opening the conference, said the object was to examine a full statement of the position in the hospital, of the provision at present made, and to consider what was required for the future. The director of the division of hospitals of the Health Department, Dr. R. A. Short, who investigated the board’s building proposals, reported that accommodation for patients was short of about 250 beds, and accommodation for nurses required an additional 140 to 150 bedrooms. The scheme put forward by the board’s architect was considered to be the best. Beyond the completion of the present proposed block, no further extension should be considered on the present site. A full discussion followed.

The Mayor of Wellington, Mr. T. C. A. Hisiop, said that, if this service had to be provided in the interests of the health of the community, then they had got to see what they could do about providing it, but it meant cutting down other services. He also raised the question of the incidence of hospital taxation, which the Minister said, was outside the scope of that particular meeting.