INADEQUATE ACCOMMODATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8489, 18 July 1907, Page 5

INADEQUATE ACCOMMODATION.

MASTERTON'SNEW INFECTIOUS DISEASES HOSPITAL.

It would appear from the discussion that took place at the meeting of the Masterton Hospital Trustees, yesterday, that the accommodation at the new infectious diseases hospital which is in course of erection at Lansdowne, will be totally inadequate for the treatment of infectious cases. The Chairman (Mr A. W. Hogg, M.H.R.) said it had been brought under his notice that there would only be sufficient accommodation at the infectious diseases hospital for scarlet fever cases. If diphtheria broke out there would be no accommodation for patients. He had written to the District Hospital Board pointing out this fact, hut he had been informed that his letter had been received too late, as the plans for the building had been accepted. Accommodation would have to be found somewhere for cases other than scarlet fever. Mr W. Fisher said that the Trustees could not interfere in the matter. The building of the hospital was under the control of the District Hospital Board, who had accepted the plans. The Trustees only had control of the maintenance of the hospital. Mr J. C. ttwington considered that what the Board bad done, they had done with their eyes open. The Trustees had pointed out to them the inadequacy of the accommodation in time to have the matter remedied. Dr. A. Hosking said that he hadpointed out the limited accommodation to Dr. Valintine, when the latter visited Masterton recently. Dr. Valintine had said that cases of diphtheria might be treated in the general hospital, but he (Dr. Hosking) did not think that would be tolerated. It was generally considered-that a mistake had been made, but that the Trustees were powerless to do anything in the matter.