CHEST HOSPITAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22865, 21 October 1937, Page 16

CHEST HOSPITAL

THE BOARD'S DECISION

> VIRTUAL DEADLOCK REACHED

CONFLICT WITH DEPARTMENT BOMBAY AREA'S ADVANTAGES A difficult position that is regarded as being tantamount to a deadlock has developed from tho decision of the Auckland Hospital Board to seek tho sanction of tho Minister of Health, tho Hon. P, Fraser, to acquire a site at Bombay for the erection of a chest hospital and sanatorium. Tho selection of this location was contrary to the recommendations of tho Health Department, which' expressed strong convictions in favour of areas at Penrose and Mount Wellington. The opinion expressed by a majority of tho Hospital Board, said tho chairman, the Rev. W. C. Wood, yesterday, was based on their belief as laymen that medical services could be carried anywhere. On those grounds they did not consider it essential for a selfcontained sanatorium, equipped with operating theatres and a special staff, to be adjacent to tho general hospital. Objections to Suburban Area "To the minds of many members of the board, there was also tho danger of a site located in closo proximity to the city developing into a residential or industrial area," Mr. Wood continued. "Taking the growth of Auckland over tho past two decades as a criterion, it is not unreasonable to assume that the next 20 years will seo the limits of tho city extending to areas seven and eight miles from its centre. There also seems some justification for the suggestion that tho Penrose and Mount Wellington areas will attract industrial activity." The consensus of medical opinion appeared to bo in favour of a sanatorium close to the main hospital, but tho majority of tho board thought it was imperative to provido tho best possible environment for tubercular patients. Possessing elevation and an unsurpassed view, each of the several possible sites at Bombay would offer a fascinating outlook to patients unable to take activo exorcise. Healthy Bombay Hills A delegation from the Auckland Hospital Board had been greatly impressed with tho location of the Cashmere Sanatorium, Christchurch, from where every inmate gained a magnificent view of the surrounding countryside, Mr. Wood stated. In the opinion of the delegation, such an outlook was of tremendous value. Mr. Wood said it was interesting to note that scores of tubercular sufferers had received benefit from a stay on the Bombay hills. To his knowledge many had been restored to health and he had not heard of one case which had not benefited to some degree. About two years ago ho had learned from the authorities controlling the St. Stephen's Maori College, wliicn is <it Bombay, that there had been a surprising improvement in tho physique of the pupils since they had been transferred from the former school buildings at Parnell. Application to Minister Mr Wood agreed that the decision of the board had resulted in a virtual deadlock being reached and said it was impossible to predict tlio ultimate clecision of' the Minister. It was tho board's duty to select a site, but approval had to be obtained from tho Minister, and it seemed as if the negotiations would havo to bo started all"over again. . "We will draw the attention of the Minister to the decision of the board and request his. consent to our selection," Mr. Wood added. "As to what the next step will be—that is a question that rests in the lap of the gods.