Support for Palmerston Hospital Additions

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7286, 13 October 1933, Page 3

Support for Palmerston Hospital Additions

FROM OROUA COUNTY COUNCIL

At its meeting yesterday the Oroua County Council had before it the proposals of the Palmerston North Hospital Board for additions to tho Awapuni home and the building of an administrative block at the main hospital. After hearing tho views of the council’s representative on the board, the council agreed to support tho proposals. Cr. O. McElroy, the county’s representative on dho board, said that; the sum of £12,500 may appear a large amount, but it was an absolute necessity. Regarding the old people’s home the speaker said that unfortunately the board was burdened with a large number of chronic cases. Tho board could not turn them out, but it was considered that by removing them to new quarters at Awapuni, they could be more economically handled. The accommodation at present occupied by theso patients in tho main hospital was needed to moot the growing demands on the institution. Ci. McElroy touched on the matter of tho board taking over the Otald hospital property. The Government had pressed the, board to take it over, and the board felt that it should shoulder the responsibility, for it felt it. could ran tho institution moro economically. It was not a liability and there was no fear of any bad debts or uuy extra burden being placed upon, contributing bodies. Unpaid accounts were a lug difficulty with tho board, and ho mentioned that last month accounts amounting to over £3OOO _ had been written, off. He was satisfied that it was ultimately going to prove advantageous to institute paying wards. Cr. McElroy concluded by stating that the proposals were absolutely necessary. The annual charge on the county for the expenditure proposed would bo £33 10s for a period of 20 years. The chairman (Cr. A. Campbell) said that after hearing tho council’s representative on the board, ho was satisfied that tho additional accommodation was required at the Awapuni home. Tho only thing he questioned was the administration block, AVhat was this going to be used for.Cr. McElroy answered that this accommodation was desired to provide offices for tho staff. At present the administrative offices were scattered all over tho place and Ihcio uas an acute shortage of room. The hospital superintendent was without proper accommodation.

Cr, T. Green remainded the meeting that Ihere were many things which required to be done without to-day. Cr, McElroy agreed, but said that what was proposed was really very necessary. In any case the council would not bo asked for its contribution for some time, and it was hoped by then that the general conditions would have improved. The chairman had every confidence in the council’s representative on the board, and was satisfied that the representations would not have been maoc had they not been necessary.

On the motion of Cr. 'W. Grecnhow, supported by the chairman, Lho council agreed to support the board's proposals.