MATERNITY PATIENTS

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

MATERNITY PATIENTS

HUNTERVILLE HOSPITAL BOARD MAYTAKE OVER The possibility of the Wanganui Hospital Board taking over the Whare-ora private maternity hospital in Hunterville was discussed at the monthly meeting yesterday, when it was stated that the present licensee Sister M. K. Harkness, did not wish to continue after November 30, mainly because of „ difficulty in obtaining qualified assistance. Another letter, from a Hunterville solicitor, and written on behalf of the owner, offered the property to the board for £2500. After various aspects of the question had been considered the board decided, on the motion of Mr. T. C. Kincaid (Taihape), seconded by Mr. N. Hughes (Maxwell) that a special committee go to Hunterville in the near future and negotiate for the purchase of the property. This committee will consist of the chairman, Mr. D. D. Simpson (Hunterville), Mr. A. S. Coleman (Rangiiikei), and Mrs. A. K. Mac Lean, the medical superintendent. Dr. H. L. Widdowson, and the secretary, Mr. K. Harris.

The chairman emphasised that the board’s nolicy was to provide maternity accommodation where it was needed. The Hunterville people were entitled to this service and the board must do something. Sister M. K. Harkness had done splendid work and said that she would remain at the hospital in the meantime, intimating that she would not see the board embarrassed.

The medical officer of health. Dr. T. C. Loney (Palmerston North) advised that four maternity patients were booked for this month, and five for next month. A letter from the Hunterville R.S.A. suggested that the board remodel the Hunterville institution, with the object of it being a war memorial hospital for the district. The R.S.A. was prepared to pay the cost of plans and specifications.

The Hunterville Town Board asked the board to consider taking over the hospital, with the addition of a few beds for urgent general cases. The chairman commented that at one time the hospital was used for maternity and 'general purposes, but the Department of Health was against the principle of dual-purnose hospitals. There were four beds in the hospital. three of which were almost continuously in use.

"Hunterville is the centre of a scattered district and the country mothers tn particular are entitled to the same sort of maternity accommodation as others,” the chairman added. "Some of them come from long distances, Including Mangaweka.” Some alterations would have to be made to the building if it were taken over by the board, said the medical superintendent. He believed, however, that the Hunterville people would want more than a maternity hospital.

"I believe that we should take over tne hospital hut we should go into the question of price.” said Mr. Kincaid, moving his motion.

So far as the R.S.A. scheme Is concerned it would be necessary to see if the whole district would back it up, ’ said the chairman. "What we are concerned about in the meantime is to carry on the maternity facilities. The other aspect can be gone Into later. The licensee has kindly offered to stay on a nd not see the board stuck I want to see a place in Hunterville where tonsils, adenoids and small accident cases are dealt with. For that matter, Hunterville has a greater claim than Marton." Mr. Kincaid's motion was carried.