ST. HELENS HOSPITAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20716, 8 November 1930, Page 12

ST. HELENS HOSPITAL.

RELIEF OF CONGESTION. AUCKLAND BOARD'S POSITION. Tho provision of temporary accommodation by the Health Department or tho extension of the nursing service on a district basis wero suggestions made yesterday by the chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board, Mr. AV. Wallace, to overcome the present congestion at St. Helens Hospital. "Xo matter what is done, it is imperative that immediate action should be taken by tho department," he said. Mr. Wallace explained that there was no accommodation at tho public hospital for dealing with maternity cases, and no ward for the purpose was at present contemplated by the board. Somo years ago the Government invited tho board to assume control of St. Helens Hospital, but this was refused after the board liad found that the institution was being run at a heavy annual loss. For some time it had been the tendency of the department to place all responsibility on the shoulders of the ratepayers. "I think that maternity cases should bo dealt with in the home, or, in cases where the conditions there are unsuitable, at St. Helens Hospital, for which the institution was originally intended," Mr. Wallace said. "Personally, I would be prepared to recommend tho board to take over St. Helens Hospital or institute a district nursing scheme for dealing with cases at home, provided the Government accepted the entire responsibility for outdoor relief."