CARE OF THE AGED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26778, 22 May 1948, Page 8

CARE OF THE AGED

Sir, —Dr A. S. Moody, chairman of the Hospital Board, having now returned from his visit overseas, developments may be expected—as in the case of the Hill Jack Home and Its speedy conversion Into a maternity hospital. In this respect he may well be called " the man that gets things done.” As there appears a huge expenditure on further hospital accommodation at Wakari, might it not be pertinent to ask that some prior consideration be given to alleviate the outlook for the patients— I refer particularly to the aged and infirm —who have passed through our Fublio Hospital and been discharged as incurable. At this stage, many of the poor old men and women who have been deserted by their families and have seen better days are sent out to Talboys Home, there to end their days. On a casual visit to Talboys Home, I am convinced, the sentiments made public by the Minister of Health call for’ immediate action, and instead of incurring further expenditure on hospitals, priority should be given to the erection of a suitable building providing comforts for the aged and infirm —the conditions at Talboys Home being a " canker ’’ in our social security in old age—and so wipe Talboys Home ” off the slate.”—l am, etc., Taxpayer.