MARTON HOSPITAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 271, 16 November 1945, Page 4

MARTON HOSPITAL

COMPROMISE REACHED COTTAGE TYPE APPROVED RECOMMENDATION ADOPTED On the recommendation of a special committee, the Wanganui Hospital Board, at its monthly m&rting yesterday, decided that Ma’rton is io have a six-bed hospital of the cottage type for medical and surgical case , provided the people of Marton and district raise not less than £5OOO toward the cost of the institution, which would be dedicated as a peace memorial and the Government grants a similar amount hy way of subsidy. So far as maternity accommodation is concerned, tile board decided that thii question he held over on the grounds that existing facilities in Hazehrouck Hospital, which has been taken over by two private nurses, are sufficient for the present time.

Members of the speciaj committee were the chairman, Mr. D. D. Simpson (Hunterville), and Messrs T. C. Kincaid (Taihape), A. S. Coleman Rangiiikei) and A. P. Howard (Rangitikei).

The adoption of the report was moved by the chairman, seconded by Mr. Kincaid. AMENDMENT LOST

An amendment Io the effect that the board defer the project in the meantime, and that the House and Finance Committee go into the question of providing an ambulance in Marton to facilitate the quick despatch of pa'.ients to Wanganui, was moved by Mr. S. Hughes (Maxwell), seconded by Mr. J. H. Wells (Parihauhau), but was lost by 10 votes to three.

For the amendment were Messrs Hughes, Wells and R. G. Taiboys (Wanganui City). Against it were the chairman and Messrs J. C. Batt (Wanganui City). W. J. Rogers (Wanganui City), D. G. Gordon (Taihape), Coleman, Kincaid, Howard, L. W. Nation (Ohakunei, Mrs. A. K. McLean (Wanganui City) and Mrs. J. J. Scott (Wanganui City). The committee reported also that it had inspected a private residence in Marton with a view to seeing whether such property could be readily converted into the type of hospital required. “Till further information is required, no recommendation is made in this respect," the report added.

Moving the adoption of the report, the chairman said that when the Marton Hospital project was last before the board the estimated cost was in the vicinity of £50,000. This caused concern and a difference of opinion, it must be realised that the more money spent on a subsidiary hospital, the less likely there was of the main base hospital being completed. An institution in Marton capable of dealing with minor operations would not be suitable for certain cases, particularly those which required specialist attention. Country districts did suffer disadvantages. ‘ hows-er, and their more scattered nature, with fewer medical practitioners, meant that people in rural areas did not receive the same service. Small hospitals were necessary for such things as tonsils, adenoids, extraciion of teeth and minor accidents. For this reason Marton needed a small hospital. UNANIMOUS DECISION

“The committee has met and unanimously decided on a compromise, which 'I believe is a very satisfactory solution," the chairman added. 'The board realised that maternity accommodation must be provided in Marton, but in the beginning was led to believe that more beds were required than were actually needed. The Department of Health estimated that the accepted average for maternity beds was one for each 1000 of population. The recent census gave the population of Marton as just under 3000 with a total of slightly fewer than 6000 when the town and district were taken into consideration. Allowing for the fact that usually there were more children in country families than those in the towns, the present maternity hospital, which' had six beds and was capable of taking eight patients, appeared adequate. In addition, there was a midwife who could take up to three patients a month, and the district nurse attended about 12 maternity cases in a year. “From these figures it would appear that there is ample maternity accommodation in Mai ton at the moment," the chairman said. The committee also felt that a sixbed cottage hospital would meet Marton's requirements, so far as general cases were concerned, and was agreeable to this, provided the Marton and district people subscribed £5OOO toward the institution and the Government granted a subsidy. The Mayor of Marton, Mr. F. Purnell, had already given an assurance that £6OOO would be raised toward the cost of a hospital which would be dedicated as a peace memorial. The cost of the cottage type of hospital recommended would be under £20,000, but only half of this would be found by ratepayers, spread over the whole of the board's district. REDUCTION IN COST Seconding the adoption of the report, Jdr. Kincaid said that originally Marton was promised a hospital estimated to cost. £16,000, but the amount to be found by the hoard, if the new proposal were adopted, would actually be less than that. The report did not exclude the possibility of taking over a private residence. Moving his amendment, that the project be deferred. Mr. Hughes said the present board had not promised Marton a hospital. This promise was made by the old board. “There have been strong protests from the four county councils and this board should concentrate on the base hospital," Mr. Hughes added. Mr. Hughes’ amendment was to the effect that in view of the high costs of buildings, and the protests received from contributory local bodies, we defer the project in file meantime, and that the House and Finance Committee go into the question of providing an ambulance in Marton for the quick despatch of accident ca es to the Wanganui Hospital. Seconding the amendment, Mr. Wel| s said he agreed with the previous speaker.

At this stage, Mr. Rogers gave notice of a further amendment to the effect that before the board reached a decision the new proposals be placed before a representative meeting of the Marton people. Opposing the committee's recommendation, Mr. R. G. Taiboys said the time was most inopportune to undertake new buildings projects. Materials wore in short supply, some t.'mber was of a poor quality, and certain building undertakings could not be completed because tloor space could not be obtained. “I have been opposed ail the way to medical and surgical facilities being established elsewhere that, in Wanganui," Mr Taiboys added. Marton’s need for a hospital has not yet been proved." “ONLY WAY OUT’’ “I support the proposal of the committee because it seems to be a way out," said Mr. D. G. Gordon (Taihape), who added that adoption of the report would not involve the board in immediate building. The dwelling suggested may prove suitable. In any case, the doctors of

Marton could not give an adequate service unless they had some facilities for handling medical and surgical oases. “Is there any other place where the people are offerinc to raise money toward the cost of a hospital?” asked Mr. Howard. “On the score of consistency I must support the report,” said MfS. A. K. Mac Lean. “The cost has now been brought down to a reasonable figure. Wo can’t stand out any longer.” Mr. Coleman said he was glad the committee had reached a solution. Marton was entitled to a hospital, even if it was small. On Mr. Hughes' amendment being put, it was lost by 10 votes to three. Mr Rogers' amendment, subsequently was lost on a show of hands.