SOUTH OTAGO HOSPITAL PROPOSAL

Otago Witness, Issue 3442, 2 March 1920, Page 42

SOUTH OTAGO HOSPITAL PROPOSAL

At the direction of the Inspector-general of Hospitals (Dr Valintine), who acted on the request of the Otago Hospital Board, Dr Frengley (Deputy Chief Health Officer), and Dr W. Wylie (Inspector of Hospitals) paid a visit to South Otago on the 24th to make inquiries and collect information regarding the requirements of the district as far as medical and hospital matters were concerned. They were accompanied by Dr A. R. Falconer (medical superintendent of the Dunedin Hospital), Messrs W. E. S. Knight (chairman of the Otago Hospital Board), J. Jacobs (secretary), A. F. Quelch (chairman Finance Committee), and James dimming (representative Clutha County). Tho • party stopped at Milton on the way to confer with the Mayor of Milton, the Chairman of the Bruce County Council (Mr J, Begg)/ and Drs Sutherland and Wylie. The visiting medical officers conferred with the local medical practitioners. Drs A. Stenhouse and J. E. K. Brown, the 'Mayor (Mr Simson), Gr T. Maginness. who represented the County Council in the absence of the chairman (Mr A. MTntyre), and Mr A. M'Donald, while there were also present on the invitation of Dr Frengley, Messrs A. S. Malcolm., M.P., and A. North. Dr Frengley briefly. explained the object of the visit.

The local medical men all advocated the establishment of a small hospital in Balclutha, which they considered the most suitable centre between Dunedin and Gore. Mr Malcolm protested against the manner in which the meeting had been called and the inquiry held, and maintained that the only ppssible solution of the difficulty was the setting up of a separate hospital district.

The party then took evidence at Owaka and Kaitangata, where they also inspected the local cottage hospital," and conferred with Dr Cairns.

Drs Frengley and Wylie will report to the Inspector-general of Hospitals, and later to the Otago Hospital Board on the whole matter. "' . ■ . ;