More Info →Foxton Maternity Home 1942-1982 Page 49

Description

happen - when the economics were considered.
Dr Teppett gave assurance that the Board had been most understanding about all the issues Foxton had put forward.

The Mayor Mr IL Titcombe and TV reporter Mike Usherwood broke the news to the morning-shift nurses at Foxton Maternity Home.
As the morning routine continued inside the Home, and Sister Percival tended to patients - outside, TV cameras focused on the Home. Only when all duties were up-to-date, did staff begin to contemplate future employment and then there was time for tears. (Acting Charge Nurse, Sister Lash was not informed until late afternoon when she returned from leave.)

Sister Lash described the closure announcement as a,
"shock and terribly sad for staff and the town..."

Approximately six years earlier, Phyl Lash had heard of the possibility of a 'closure' from a plumber - and now that prediction had eventuated, and Foxton's centre-point was at a sad end, after 40 years of excellent service to the towns-people and many in surrounding areas.

Last Baby Born

On December 10 1982

The last baby to be born at the Foxton Maternity Home was:

Cara McErlean, (weighing in at 71b 11oz, delivered by Dr WHC Teppett)
Second daughter to Karen (nee Tremear) and John McErlean.

Cara's Mum Karen felt the closure was going to create problems
by losing a valuable place for emergency help and information,
and that the Hospital and staff would be sadly missed.

Cara McErlean
Last baby born ...

Identification

Date

2005