MEDICAL BEDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26311, 16 November 1946, Page 6

MEDICAL BEDS

STAFFORD HOSPITAL

OPPOSITION TO CLOSING OFFER OF PURCHASE “ We are doubtful if members of the public are aware of the serious position that will develop if Stafford Hospital is closed for general medical and surgical purposes,” said the spokesman of a group of prominent Dunedin medical practitioners interviewed by a Daily Times reporter yesterday: “In the past it has been extremely difficult to obtain beds in private hospitals, as those who have had experience of illness know, and if approximately one quarter of the private beds are no longer available a very real hardship will ensue.

“ It will mean a very long waiting list for all hospitals, and will add to tlhe already much overburdened Public Hospital the duty of finding a bed for practically all cases of sudden serious illnesses,” the doctor continued. “ The taking over of an existing hospital at considerable public expense will not add a single bed to the number already available. It is ’felt that the proper policy is to find a temporary home for convalescent maternity cases and to see that none of the present smaller maternity (hospitals go out of business.”

The present was no time to insist on standards greater than those already pertaining in the smaller maternity hospitals, which for many years had played so successful and important a part in midwifery, he continued. There was a full sympathy with the Otago Hospital Board in its very difficult task of providing sufficient maternity beds for the community, but it was felt that the board would agree that it was not in the best interests of the community to take over the largest private medical hospital if arrangements could be made for it to be retained as such.

It was possible that the Hospital Board, in the event of suitable premises for temporary maternity accommodation being made available, might consent to review its claim io Stafford Hospital, and in this event a group of medical men was now prepared to purchase the hospital and maintain it for its present purpose. In the furtherance of this object, telegrams have been sent to the Prime Minister and to the Minister of Health.