WORK IN PROGRESS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27413, 12 June 1950, Page 4

WORK IN PROGRESS

First Two Villas To Take 100 Patients MINISTER’S STATEMENT / A start has been made on building the new villa-type mental hospital at Cherry Farm, on the main highway near Waikouaiti, and a statement, with photographs, was released to the Daily Times at the week-end by the Minister of Health, Mr Watts.

"The foundations are being laid for the first two villas, each of which will provide accommodation for 50 patients and will, it is hoped, be occupied next year,” Mr Watts said. “ It is planned that Cherry Farm ultimately will accommodate 650 patients. Each year, more and more accommodation at Seacliff Hospital becomes unsuitable because of the slipping ground on which that hospital stands. “The new hospital will be built on the villa system. The villas will be single storeyed units, mostly accom-

modating 50 patients. Each will be self-contained. “It will be seen from the attached designs that an attractive plan has been approved for the layout of the hospital and all its ancillary services. “ Throughout New Zealand, the Mental Hygiene Division of my department has a large building, programme and it is possible to attempt only a limited amount of work each year,” Mr Watts added. “It will be many years before Cherry Farm Hospital can be completed but it is hoped to have patients occupying the two new villas during 1951.”