1000 WAITING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23860, 10 January 1941, Page 9

1000 WAITING

WELLINGTON HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION PROBLEM PRIME MINISTER'S CONCERN [FROM OCR OWN correspondent] "WELLINGTON, Thursday The Prime Minister did not use soft words when replying to a deputation from the Wellington Hospital Board which waited upon him, together witli the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, and the Minister of Health, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, with regard to the hoard's building programme, now long delayed. Unless the board could arrive at a definite decision, the Government would have to dispense with the board and appoint a commission to run the institution, said Mr. Fraser. The sooner the board and representatives of the Health Department, the Public Works Department, and the Treasury got together to discuss what would give the most speedy relief and provide an up-to-date hospital service for the district the hotter. Mr. Fraser said that when he was advised that the board desired a deputation to discuss the position, he considered the matter so urgent that he immediately asked for the meeting. He was appalled by the overcrowded state of the hospital. The most urgent problem was how to provide bed accommodation. The Government would welcome the fullest inquiries into the position, but setting up commissions to inquire into the past would not provide beds. No Sterling Difficulty Mr. F. Castle, chairman of the board, indicated that the board desired to seek the counsel of the Government regarding proceeding with blocks B, C and D of the Centennial Hospital, and a definite assurance that sterling funds and materials would be available. Mr. Castle said the question of temporary accommodation at Kilbirnie had been considered and thrown out by the board. Consideration was now being given to providing accommodation for turerculosis patients elsewhere. A general discussion followed on the question of tuberculosis accommodation, which Mr. Fraser thought was worthy of every consideration as a method of providing early relief jn the matter of accommodation. Mr. Fraser said the Government would be willing for M.r. Ashwin, of the Treasury, and Dr. Shore, of the Department of Health, to discuss all possible schemes with the board and so give all assistance possible. Funds and Materials Mr. Nash indicated that in the ordinary way there would be no delay with sterling, but there might be delay m obtaining building materials. Dr. -J. Cairncy, acting superintendent of the Wellington Hospital, said there was a waiting list of approximately 1000. J here were 150 beds required. .Mr. Nash indicated that the board should go ahead with expediencies meantime, and that blocks B, C and D should go ahead as materials were available.