RAETIHI HOSPITAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 92, 21 April 1938, Page 9

RAETIHI HOSPITAL

MATERNITY CASES NEV,' BUILDING REQUIRED MATTER OF URGENCY When the question of providing a maternity home at the Raetihi Hos- t pita! was under discussion at yester-j day’s meeting of the Wanganui Hospital Board, members were unanimous that the work should be put in hand as soon as possible but action could not be taken because of a resolution on the board's minute boos that the contributing bodies are to be consulted before any major building work is to be carried out.

After a long discussion the board decided to defer further discussion ol the matter until after the local body , elections next month and in the meantime that contributing bodies should be advised of the position. It was also resolved that it be a recommendation to the incoming board that the matter of providing maternity accommodation at the Raetihi Hospital be regarded as urgent. "This is a very urgent work,” said the chairman, Mr W. E. Broderick, in slating that at present there was accommodation for only four maternity cases at the Raetihi Hospital. It was proposed to build an annexe providing accommodation for 12 beds at a cost of approximately 19000. "At present there are 19 maternity cases in the hospital and nine babies and two more urgent cases are expected,” he said. Mr Broderick said that the boaro should decide at once what was to be done. Maternity cases were increasing in Raetihi and the board must make provision for them, otherwise it might find itself in a serious position. Dr. H. L. Widdowson, medical superintendent, said the Raetihi Hospital was hopelessly overcrowded, and the matron did not know where to turn. Mr A. S. Coleman (Rangitikei) said the board should defer the matter until after the elections. He thought that more Government assistance might be available after the national health scheme had been completed than at present. Mr A. J. B. Sicely (Marton): Whatever matters we might hold up on account of the state of the board s finances, this is one that cannot be overlooked. There is a grave risk of infection in maternity cases through overcrowding. Mr Coleman said he was not opposed to the proposal, but he was not in favour of committing the incoming board. Mr Broderick; After visiting Raetihi and after meeting Dr. Watt, Director-General of Health, I am convinced more than ever that we should push on with the job. Mr Simpson said that the public were becoming uneasy about the board's building programme, and he considered that it would- be advisable to place the matter before the contributing bodies, at the same time stressing the urgency of the matter. The chairman said he was willing that the contributing bodies should be advised, but it might have a farreaching effect. The board had been elected to do the job, and if the bodies concerned were to say what it was to do, what further need was there for a board? The fact remained, however, that the resolution had been put on the books and the contributing bodies would have to be consulted. The county councils did not go to the ratepayers to ask their permission to spend money, he added. Mr W. J. Rogers said that the board had been elected by the ratepayers and it had a duty to perform. He did not favour putting the onus on the contributing bodies before the election.

On the motion of Mr Rogers, the matter was held over until after the local body elections.