A HOSPITAL QUESTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20234, 19 April 1929, Page 14

A HOSPITAL QUESTION.

Sir, —Your loading article on above, in Thursday's Herald, is most timely. Some months ago I wrote to tho former Minister of Health making suggestions which would have given a feasible and economical solution, and which he promised to look into, but is not. now in a position to do. I am, however, taking tho matter up with the present Minister and have made tho following suggestions:—That tho building of the infectious diseases hospital in front of our main hospital should 1,0 stopped and the money lie used to expedite the new mental hospital at Patumahoe. This would relieve a portion of the • Avondale Mental Hospital and provide an infectious diseases hospital as promptly, if not more promptly, than the proposed new building. Later, when the mental hospital is shifted to Patumahoe, tho balance of Avondale would make an ideal central auxiliary hospital at comparative small expense, as there is a big range of brick buildings that could be utilised and they are situated in large and ideal grounds. It would also relieve the congestion of the main hospital, which is fast becoming unwieldy. if this or some modification were adopted. It would save enormous expense and provide necessary requirements for many years to come. Wo will have the buildings and grounds at Avondale shortly. Surely it is economy and common senso to expedite the removal and utilise the. buildings which have cost close on £250,000. 11. R. Cooke.