HOSPITAL CHANGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21967, 26 November 1934, Page 12

HOSPITAL CHANGE

TRANSFER AT ROTORUA / .WORK IN PEACE TIME WAIKATO BOARD TAKES OVER CEREMONY BY MINISTER J'HY TELEGRAPH —OWN COBHKSPONDENT] KOTORUA, Saturday "Hospital Day" was celebrated today in gforiously fine weather: The principal event was the official ceremony of the handing-over of control of the King George V. Hospital from the Government to the Waikato. Hospital Board, which was performed by the Minister of Health, the Hon. J. A. Young ' The hospital, which has been recently renovated and modernised at a cost of approximately £'4200, had its beginning in 1916, .during the Great War, when the Defence Department, realising tho curative value of the Rotor ua mineral ■waters, bi'iilt a military hospital on what was the recreation reserve. The original purpose of tho hospital was to accommodate convalescent but by 1918 it had developed into a general hospital and further space became urgently necessary. New ■wards were added and these wards comprise the present King George V. Hospital. '' By 1920 the institution had become n fully equipped hospital, specialising in orthopaedic work. At that time it occurred, to Dr. T. H. A. Valintine, "then Director-General of Health, that it ■would/ be a pity if such an efficient organisation and specialist stafl: should be, broken up upon the conclusion of treatment of military patients and he accordingly proposed to the Go\ eminent that King George V. Hospital, together witlNither military hospitals, be taken over by the Health Department and its services made available to the community generally for the orthopaedic treatment of children suffering from the effects of infantile paralysis. ,

General Hospital lor District

A commencement was made cat ly in 1921, when beds vacated by military patients were allotted to those unfortunate children, and at the end of 1921 {.he Government agreed to the institution being taken over by the Health department in accordance with Dr. Valintine's proposals. Upon the closing Of Trentham Orthopaedic Hospital in October, 1921, orthopaedic treatment of "children was concentrated nt Rotori/a and continued untd 1931. By that time* the number of children under treatment had fallen to between HO and, 40 as specialist treatment was now available at all main base hospitals, and' it was decided to close the orthopaedic, section at King George V. Hospital. Since 1931 the institution has been conducted almost entirely as a | general hospital for the district. The transfer of King George V. Hospital to the Waikato Hospital Board is , an outcome of recommendations matte bv the National Expenditure Commission 1932. With the taking over of the institution the board has now under its control another fully equipped and up-to-date hospital. The board upon taking over from the Health 'Department received excellent treatment from the Government, which - handed over the buildings and equipment free of cost and furthermore guaranteed over £4OOO for renovating ' and modernising the buildings. Accommodation Increased

It was suggested when the alterations were started that accommodation should be provided for 35 beds, but this was soon found to be inadequate and accommodation was eventually provided for 73. The previous lay-out ot the buildings was crude and inconvenient and /this has been greatly improved . Since ,>the Waikato Hospital Board took over and placed Dr. Mackereth in charge, the average number of patients a day has risen from 43 to 57. The total number ,pf staff employed is 50, 21 ot whom are on the nursing staff. Speaking at the official ceremony, the Minister expressed his sincere thanks for a hearty welcome. He said he alwavs took a special interest in the Waikato Hospital Board, and he wished it every success in the next 11 vears. He was chairman of a hospital board when the board established its iirst hospital in Rotorua over 20 years ago, and' could well remember the time when the -first hospital was situated in an old hall, which was used as an infectious ''diseases hospital for the district. He also thanked Mr, Tai. Mitr ehell for the very helpful service tie had rendered, and he felt sure that all the other members of the Arawa Trust Board had also done a great deal to help.

Twenty-one Year Lease Given i

The policy drawn up for the changeover stated that the hospital ground should be leased for 21 years. The lease was effected through the Ngati Whakaue tribe. Mr. Young said the value in the 'department's books of the buildings. equipment and stores handed• over free of capital cost to the Waikato Hospital-Board by'the department m connection with the Rotorua hand-over was as follows:—Buildings, £19,099; equipment, £1888; other improvements, £]Cl; 'stores, £1577; a total of £23,225. The existing buildings were to be reduced by the board to provide for .73 beds and the department to pay a grant not exceeding £3300 to the, board for the purpose of carrying, out these arrangements. This had since been increased (to £4025. Very many improvements had been made to the buildings, and the Minister said he could foresee the time when the Rotorua Hospital would become the base hospital for a large district, embracing, no doubt, territory 1 from the coast of the Bay of Plenty inland to the south-east toward Napier. He felt sure that when the 21 years had passed, the board would continue with its good work. He congratulated the community on having an •excellent superintendent and matron in charge. ,

Treatment for Both Races Mr. Young said he wished it to bo understood that there was no distinction beMveen Maori and pakeha patients and that both races would receive the same treatment. The Arawa Trust Board had made an agreement to pay to the Hospital Board £#oO a,-year. This would provide free trentmont to those natives who were unable to pay, and they undertook to collect a further £IOO from natives who could pay. Sinco the board had taken over the management of the hospital, a very great improvement had taken place. The Minister extended his thanks to the ladies of the Women's Clnb for their assistance on this hospital day, and suggested they should continue to hold a "hospital day" each year. He had great pleasure in officially declaring the hospital open. Other speakers included Mr. C. H. Clinkard, M.P., Mr. J. J. By burn, chfirman" of the Waikato Hospital Board, Mr. Tai Mitchell, of the Arawa Trust Board, Mr. J. Banks, Rotorua representative of the board, and the Mayor, Mr. T. Jackson.