SYDNEY HOSPITALS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18920, 23 January 1936, Page 13

SYDNEY HOSPITALS

OVERCROWDING PROBLEM EARLY RELIEF PROMISED, SYDNEY, Jan. 10. The Government is making desperate efforts to do away with the overcrowding of hospitals. A substantial increase in the publu ward accommodation and the provision jf intermediate, private, and maternity wards, if was officially stated yesterday, will largely obviate the serious conditions that exist in the metropolis. At an early date, the additions to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, eostur.' ipproximately £IBO,OOO, and to th I'riuce Henry Hospital, costing £250,000 where 500 new beds have been provided will lie opened. Extensive alterations have taken plact aid additional accommodation has bee; provided at the Royal North Shore, St 'eorge, Canterbury, and Hornsby ho ; pitala. Plans and specifications for Iciisions to the Western Suburbs am' Auburn District hospitals have been completed. At the Royal Alexandra fios pital for Children, 'buildings to cost £20,000. ure in progress. The country areas have not been overlooked. Work actually in progress, together with additions, for which tenders have been called, lotal more than £2CO.COO. In addition, the Hospitals Commission, has had plans prepared and will proceed at once with the construction of L maternity blocks in country areas, particularly' in those districts where adequate facilities do not exist at the pre sent time. These maternity blocks Will lie built within the grounds of the various district hospitals, but will be separate buildings from the general hospitals, even 1 providing accommodation for the necessary nnrsiiiK staff. "Evidence of the Government's police of development and reconstruction of the public, hospitals throughout the State can now be readily appreciated." sah 1 I lie Minister for Health (Mr Filzsnn oils) yesterday. "This year will see further development of hospital fncilities throughout the State. A carefully prepared and well-balanced programme yvi provide many useful health units, both in the citv and country." He added that legislation was hem" drafted to provide for a new system of control at the Prince Henrv llosmtal Tt would permit not only the. handling of general and infectious cases, but also Dost-graduate teaching in medicine. The bill would enable the University of Sv'dneV and the University Posl-cradu ate Committee of New Pbutb Wales te lake an active part in the control .'111(1 development, of the hospital.