HOSPITAL CROWDED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18180, 30 August 1933, Page 4

HOSPITAL CROWDED

PALMERSTON N. POSITION NEW BUILDING MOOTED The opinion that additional accommodation for patients was required at the Palmerston North Public Hospital was expressed by the chairman, Mr. J. K. Horn-blow, at a meeting of the Palmerston North Hospital Board, when a proposal to erect a new concrete administration block to replace the existing wooden building was under discussion, Mr. Hornblow stated that the standard accommodation at the hospital, exclusive of verandahs, was for 126 patients, whereas the hospital was accommodating 176 patients. There were between 20 and 30 chronic patients, and even if these patients were removed the hospital would still be overcrowded. In the near future the hoard would have to face an expenditure of £IO,OOO in order to provide additional accommodation. The board had to consider whether it would erect an administrative block only or bear the additional expense of erecting a ward for chronic patients at the same time.

Mr. Hornblow said the Department of Health was opposed to the remodelling of the present wooden building. The cost of a now concrete building would be about £6OOO, which was £ISOO in excess of what the board was prepared to find. The managing secretary, Mr. A. J. Phillipps, said the cost of the administrative block to the local bodies would bo £225 a year for 20 years. The Government would l find £225 a year. The cost of the comprehensive scheme would be approximately £II,OOO. The board decided to secure a report on the cost of providing the administration block and a ward for* chronic patients. .