HEALTH CENTRE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24083, 30 September 1941, Page 9

HEALTH CENTRE

FREEMAN'S BAY SCHEME NEW BUILDING PLANNED HELP FOR SICK AND NEEDY Sketch plans of the two-etorev building which it is proposed to uect in Victoria Street West for use as a community health centre have been prepared by the city engineer, Mr. J. Tyler. The erection of this building is contingent on the passing of an empowering bill now before Parliament, which also authorises the Auckland City Council to transfer the site at the eastern end of the destructor property in Freeman's Bay to the Health Centre Board, the constitution of which is set out in the bill. The planning of this centre arose from the need shown by the use made of the hot baths provided at the destructor plant during the depression years by the City Council for the residents of Freeman's Bay who had 110 bathing facilities in their homes. From this centre the Freeman's Bay Community Service Organisation carried on. its work. Wide Range ol Service This work was done under the direction of the Rev. Harry Johnson, with the assistance of a band of voluntary workers, including doctors, psychiatry experts, ambulance members, nursing sisters, hairdressers, boot repairers and others. In the cramped space available a clinic was established and there the needy sick received attention or were sent for care elsewhere. People with no facilities in their rooms were able to do their washing and ironing there and in cases of need simple meals were provided. It has been stated that there are approximately 800 families living in the Freeman's Bay area who are compelled to use the bathing facilities at the destructor. Contribution to New Block The scheme to oxtend this service and to provide in a modern building was submitted to the City Council by the Community Service Organisation, which offered to find £SOOO toward the cost, this having been contributed by supporters. The Metropolitan Unemployment Relief Committee, the Government and the City Council have each agreed to find £2OOO. In addition the council agreed to make the site, valued at £2OOO, available and to contribute £SOO a year toward the upkeep. The site chosen for the new building has three frontages and extends from Victoria Street to Drake Street. For this a plain but attractively-designed building has been planned. About twothirds of the ground floor space is devoted to plunge and shower baths for both sexes, as well as well-equipped laundries. There are also rooms for a hairdresser and a genera] office, as well tis fumigating rooms. The remainder or thm floor is occupied by a hall to seat 214 people. Control ol Scheme The top floor will be given over to the work of the clinic. There is a general admittance office at the top ot a ramp giving access from Drake -Street, and near by space is provided for St. John Ambulance services. In the wellarranged plan there are rooms for doctors, nurses and dispenser, as well as examination, treatment and massage rooms. . . The facilities provided in the new building are to be controlled by a board consisting of three representatives of the Community Service, and two each of the Government, the Citv Council and the Auckland Hospital Board.