SANATORIUM NEEDS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLIX, Issue 13906, 6 November 1919, Page 5

SANATORIUM NEEDS.

CHARITABLE AID BOARD RECEIVES A DEPUTATfON.

The Waitaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board received a- deputation yesterday from the South Canterbury Board, consisting of Mr Gillinghnm (Chairman) and Dr. Louglman. in regard to a joint sanatorium for the Ashburton. South Canterbury, and Waitaki Boards. The deputation asked the Board to join the other two bodies in providing a sanatorium to meet Ihe needs of the three districts. The deputation was welcomed by the Chairman of the "Waitaki board _Mr A. Eraser, who introduced them to the meeting. The local board had at present a very satisfactory arrangement with the Otago board Tor taking cases from the district. But 'he rnirid o: tlie board was open, and if the .deputation had any proposal to make that appeared to be of advantage to the district, it would : give it full and careful eonsidera- j tion. |

In a lengthy speech, of which the following is the substance. Mr Gillingharn placed the position of his hoard before the meeting. He pointed out the difficulties in which South Canterbury had been for some time in making provision for the number, of cases it received. Some time ago 1 it had entered into ail arrangement with the North Canterbury board j for accommodation at Cashmere j Hills, but as th;!t was now fully oc-. cupied there was no room for southern cases, and the necessity of making other provision was pressed on them. The late Minister of Public Health. Mr G. W. Russell., had advised the course of the combination of the three boards for the provision of a sanatorium. A site a few miles from Timaru was recommended by the Department, but that site did nor meet with the approval of the medical men of Timaru. He appealed to tiie Waitaki board to assist them in the provision of suitable accommodation.

Dr Loughnan supplemented Mr Gillingham's remarks, pointing out the great need. Some time ago the South Canterbury board was sending patients to Pleasant Yalley Sanatorium. but it had not been satisfied that the results, as far as the improvement of patients was concerned, were satisfactory. A more inland position seemed to be needed. Mr Gfflinghaui asked how the local board was situated, and the Chairman pointed out that the requirements of the district were not very <rivai. The monthly average of cases at the sanatorium last year was two. but owincr to possibilities, at the commencement of the present year aceommoda! ion was secured for an average of three. In the board's opinion the results at Pleasant Valley Sanatorium were satisfactory, for nianv of the cases sent there had practically recovered. Theft experience was by: no means that of the South Canterbury board.

In response to questions Mr Gillimrham stated that the proposal was to provide a sanatorium with accommodation for about 40 patients, but what the cost would be be was quite unable to say; it mi<rht cost £1").000, and the administration expenses would be considerable. It was mentioned that, in response to tlie request of the Hon. G. W. Russell. the local board had advertised for offers of, suitable sites in the district. Only one was received and forwarded to the Department. Atthe same time it was pointed outto jhe Department that if it needed a site in this district, the members of the board thought that the Government had land of its own which miirht be found quite suitable, near the Special School, at Otekaike. The Chairman thanked the deputation for its information and felt sure the board would carefully consider all the facts laid before them. Mr Gillinarham thanked the Chairman for meeting them in so friendly a manner, and hoped something would come from the interview. The matter will be thoroughly discussed at the next general meeting.