Future Of Whangarei Hospital Under Review

Northern Advocate, 14 March 1944, Page 2

Future Of Whangarei Hospital Under Review

Further correspondence relative to extensions 'to the Nurses' Home was considered at yesterday’s meeting of the Whangarei Hospital Board. At its February meeting the board decided to telegraph and write to the Director-General of Health pointing out the urgency of the position and asking that the Director-General and his officers meet the board at Whangarei and go into the position fully. In a reply, the Deputy-Director-General stated that the Director-Gen-eral was absent from Wellington, and after his return his engagements were such that he would be unable to visit Whangarei for some time. While unable to arrange for an early visit by officers of the Hospitals Division, the Beputy-Director-General stated these .officers would meet any representatives of the board in Wellington to discuss the board’s plans for the extensions to the Nurses’ Home, and’ to other departments of the hospital. He asked for an accurate contour plan of the sites of any proposed buildings. With regard to the suggested Aged Women’s Home, the Deputy-Director-General asked for a plan and site plan of the suggested building, the Government valuation, and the probable purchase price, also a plan of the alterations pi-oposed to provide the necessary services and amenities and an estimate of the cost.

Early Visit Urged

After considering the letter, the House Committee of the board authorised the secretary to send the following reply, copies of which were also sent to the Minister for Health, and Mr A. J. Murdoch, M.P.: “Members consider the question very urgent and the following are the reasons for desiring an early visit from the appropriate officers of the department Some months ago the board made inquiries as to the feasibility of adding an extra storey to the Nurses’ Home but found same not practicable under present regulations. In September last a plan of a proposed new wing, with additional dining room and kitchen accommodation, was adopted by the board and forwarded for approval. In the board’s opinion the proposal was a good one, providing sufficient accommodation (34 extra beds) for many years to come. Any minor alterations considered necessary could be made in consultation with the board’s architect. By letter dated November 19, 1943, the department condemned these proposals and suggested that the present accommodation be doubled. The staff which could be accommodated if this proposal were given effect to would be sufficient for a hospital at least 50 percent larger than at present, and does not appear warranted for a district of 20.000 population. If the necessity were admitted, the board would be faced with the expense of a new set ol plans for an extension which the department may consider should be erected on an entirely new site. The board has no such site in mind, and considers that prior to any further expense a meeting should be held here on the ground, firstly to decide the size of addition, and secondly to fix the site thereof. This, in the board’s opinion, cannot effectively be dealt with by a visit to Wellington. Apart from the foregoing, the board has in mind the necessity for extra accommodation for domestics, and the purchase of a property for use as an Aged Women’s Home. Each of these matters was sufficiently important to warrant an early inspection, and it was urged that a visit be paid to Whangarei without delay. Investigation On The Spot

The chairman said the only possible way of dealing with the matter was for the department to send an officer to Whangarei to act on the spot. He had asked Mr Jones to discuss the matter with the department when in Wellington, but, unfortunately, the Director-General was absent from there. Mr Jones said he had seen the Deputy-Director-General, Dr. Ritchie, the Director and Inspector of Hospitals, Dr. McNickle, and the head architect. The fact of the matter was that Dr. McNickle condemned the whole of this hospital site, and considered the board should start now to meet the requirements of the board 20 years ahead. Dr. McNickle condemned practically everything about the Whangarei hospital. Mr Jones pointed out to the Deputy-Director-General the need for visiting Whangarei, and considered the board should press for someone to come here and discuss the position on the spot. He felt it was useless to send anyone to Wellington to discuss the matter. He had received the utmost consideration from the Deputy-Direc-tor-General. He felt his visit to the Health Department was not very helpful to the board.

Difficulties Discussed

The chairman said it was unfortunate that Mr Jones was unable to see the Director-General, who, he felt sure, would send an officer to Whangarei. If the department feel these buildings should be scrapped the board’s position became difficult. If the Inspector of Hospitals said the present buildings should be scrapped and a new hospital erected on another site, the cost would be at least £500,000. The board had 30 acres of land, and in the members’ opinion the site was an ideal one. Mr Jones: I want to make it perfectly clear that Dr. McNickle’s opinion was not official, but a personal one. Question Of Publicity On resuming after lunch, Mr J. C. McKay thought the report given by Mr Jones should not be published. It was the opinion of a minor official. The chairman: The Press cannot be interfered with. Anything in open board is open to the Press. It was made clear by Mr Jones that Dr. McNickle expressed a personal opinion, and not an official one. We admit the Press, andjjood judgment and accuracy have always been shown. Mr J. C. McKay: Is it your ruling that members cannot discuss this mat- j ter? The Press is a free agent in this matter, and will no doubt exercise good judgment. Mr McKay moved that failing a favourable reply to the letter sent to the department the chairman be authorised to visit Wellington. This was carried. The chairman’ said he did not anticipate any trouble with the DirectorGeneral or Chief Architect, who had always shown the utmost consideration. Plan Deferred At a later stage a plan was submitted by the architect for dditions to the maids’ home.. Mr J. C. McKay favoured a new building in preference to additions to the existing one. On the motion of Mr L. Reynolds, it was decided to refer the plan to the House Committee for report.