A new 'Chest Hospital'
For some time pulmonary tuberculosis patients had been cared for either at Ewart Hospital, or at the Otaki Sanitorium. It was clear during the 1940s that these two facilities were inadequate to cope with the still increasing number of patients presenting. So, the Board approved in principle, the building of a dedicated Chest Hospital. Initially, it was envisaged that Paekakariki would be an appropriate site for such a Hospital, and in 1945, land was purchased there. The planned development became known as the Glencastle project. There was, however, considerable staff opposition to the plans, because they did not approve of the isolation that would be associated with working at Paekakariki. Plans were then changed to allow for a new building at Newtown. The proposal to build a 120-bed Chest Hospital in Wellington was, however, turned down by the Minister of Health in February 1949. By December 1950, the Board had approved a revised plan for a 150-bed Chest Hospital, to be sited where the Seddon Wards were currently placed. By 1954, these plans were well-advanced, and included operating theatres and an Xray Department. At around this time it was becoming apparent that tuberculosis case numbers were declining somewhat, in part due to more effective treatments being available and hospital stays shortened. In further refining the Chest Hospital plans, it was thought sensible to provide for possible alternative uses of the facility. The Health Department argued that if a multifunctional Hospital building was to go ahead, it should be planned as part of the overall re-development of Wellington Hospital. So, further delays occurred. The new building became known as 'Block A' in the overall re-development plans, though when finished it was to be known as the 'Seddon Wing'. Construction commenced in March, 1963.

A new 'Chest Hospital'

For some time pulmonary tuberculosis patients had been cared for either at Ewart Hospital, or at the Otaki Sanitorium. It was clear during the 1940s that these two facilities were inadequate to cope with the still increasing number of patients presenting. So, the Board approved in principle, the building of a dedicated Chest Hospital. Initially, it was envisaged that Paekakariki would be an appropriate site for such a Hospital, and in 1945, land was purchased there. The planned development became known as the Glencastle project.

There was, however, considerable staff opposition to the plans, because they did not approve of the isolation that would be associated with working at Paekakariki. Plans were then changed to allow for a new building at Newtown. The proposal to build a 120-bed Chest Hospital in Wellington was, however, turned down by the Minister of Health in February 1949.

By December 1950, the Board had approved a revised plan for a 150-bed Chest Hospital, to be sited where the Seddon Wards were currently placed. By 1954, these plans were well-advanced, and included operating theatres and an Xray Department. At around this time it was becoming apparent that tuberculosis case numbers were declining somewhat, in part due to more effective treatments being available and hospital stays shortened. In further refining the Chest Hospital plans, it was thought sensible to provide for possible alternative uses of the facility.

The Health Department argued that if a multifunctional Hospital building was to go ahead, it should be planned as part of the overall re-development of Wellington Hospital. So, further delays occurred. The new building became known as 'Block A' in the overall re-development plans, though when finished it was to be known as the 'Seddon Wing'. Construction commenced in March, 1963.