NEW HOSPITAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 69, 23 March 1942, Page 3

NEW HOSPITAL

SOLDIER PATIENTS AT ROTORUA ON SHORES OF LAKE Rotorua, March 21 Spacious and up-to-date in fittingj and equipment, the hospital bein£ built lor our wounded men from overseas on thp shores of Lake Rotorua is nearing completion; and the first patients have been installed. Built round a huge central grass} courtyard, every room gets its share of the sun, and the carpeted sun rooms and wide terraces running along the front of the building will be bathed in sunshine from morning to night. Realising that many visitors from all parts o< New Zealand will oa anxious to see the patients, a comfortable lounge, carpeted anc ‘equipped with easy chairs, has been provided off the front entrance hall, in addition to the big wards there are small rooms—some with foui beds and some with one, where exceptional cases can be treated. The meal arrangements are very convenient, ai all the dining rooms, for patients nursing stall, V.A.D.’s, and domestic staff, radiate from the big mail: kitchen and servery. Up-to-date equipment enac.'es the staff to cope with huge meals; while a vegetable peeler, cake mixer, air-cooled cupooards, refrigerators, hot plates, breac and lettuce cutter, bacon slicer, electric toaser, in fact every gadget tc make the work run smoothly, have been installed. There are separate entrances, change rooms, lockers showers, and conveniences for all the different sections of workers. Teaching the Men. The central block is devoted tc occupational therapy, where woodwork, basketmaking, etc., can be carried on. There are a recreatior room and two writing rooms. There is even a telephone room for the mer where they can talk undisturbed or the long-distance wire. The theatre block has complete accommodation for treating every type of case. In the massage-block, modern equipment, including a gymnasium, is installed in the various rooms, and the whole block is insulated. Lighting plays a big part in the comfort oj patients. Here are fitted ‘‘night’ lights, which glow about a foot from the fioor, totaLy eliminating distressing glare. Green, blue, and heliotrope rugs cover the beds, making a cheerful spot of colour in the scheme ol cream walls and brown stained floors A piano and bil'iarc 5 tables will pla> their part in restoring health anc happiness, and numbers of comfortable lounge chairs, with gay rugs and cushions, are available on the terrace on a fine day. A self-contained flat is incorporated in one block for the use of the resident doctor. Stretching to the water, lawns anc gardens arc in the making; and when finished will make the natural setting even more beautiful. Those in charge of the new hospital arc Miss G. Wait, matron; Mr. F. Richard, house manager; and Miss M Stringfellow, head of the massage department. A former well-known boardinghouse, Arawa House, has been recondtioned and furnished for the V.A.D.’s.