HOSPITAL BUILDINGS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22776, 9 July 1937, Page 15

HOSPITAL BUILDINGS

« Sir, —I am in hearty agreement with your correspondent, "Another Reader," in regard to the hospital policy. I agree in substance with his views in regard to decentralisation, but would go much further than he does, and advocate different locations and buildings for different diseases. I would divide them into four different categories—pulmonary or chest affections, bacteriological contagious diseases, fevers, etc., venereal diseases, which should be treated under strict isolation conditions, and recurrent, epidemical diseases, influenza, plagues, etc., which could bo treated provisionally as the.v occur. I would utilise the present building for the treatment of surgical cases, accidents, etc., a central observation depot, and an ambulance centre and medical college. All the others should be located in districts that in elevation and climate respond to the needs of each, and with a view to the health preservation of the remaining portion of the community. I am sure that the healthy and normally intelligent portion of the community do not want a hospital nor a graveyard in the middle of a prosperous and progressive city, in spite of the sentimental objections of a few as to their removal. I also agree with your correspondent, "One of the Many," that the North Shore is entitled to a hospital of its own to relieve the congestion on the other institutions. The forgoing schemes may appear ambitious and over-elaborate to many, and ahead of the times to others, but I am one of those who think that it will have to be done some day, so why not now? Frank Morrow.