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Rankin Park
Hospital
Opens To-day
Erected as an emergency hos
pital in 1942 when enemy invasion
threatened Australia, the Rankin
Park Hospital at New Lambton
will accept Its first patients to-day.
Newcastle Hospital Board took the
building over as a chest hospital by
arrangement with the Hospitals Com
mission. Its opening has been delayed
because of a shortage of trained
nurses, and now has become possible
only by the cooperation of the Red
Cross Society.
hNegotiations between the society
and Newcastle Hospital Board had
been most amicable, said the Secre
tary (JMr. Sharp). Besides supplying
the trained nlrsing and domestic
staff, control of the indoor staff would
be the responsibility of MIatron Croll.
The medicatl administration would be
directed by the Superintendent of
Newcastle Hospital (Dr. C. J. Mc
Caffrey). The hospital was the most
up-to-date of its kind in the State.
Accommodate 1 04
Built on New Lambton Heights,
in 220 acres o'f forest land, the hos
pital has accommodation for 104
patients. Each ward is fitted with
folding doors, so that patients may
enjoy fresh air and sunlight. There
are wide verandahs, rest rooms, din
ing rooms and library.
Later dwellings will lIe erected for
convalescents, who will live under
medical supervision but away from
the hospital until they are recovered.
Vocational centres and a training
hall will also be erected on the land.
parts of which will provide bush walks
for patients.
A separate building will accommo
date nurses and staff. Its amenities
include separate dining and recrea
tion rooms and a glassed-in look-out
wphich gives a view from. Nobbys to
Port Stephens and Barrington Tops.
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