The Big Wash

The first phase in the construction of the new Base Hospital, in Upper Ormond Road, became a reality when the boiler house and laundry began operations.

The laundry, accommodated in a bright, spacious building, is equipped almost entirely with new plant, valued at £45,000, which can wash, dry, and press 900lb of laundry per hour.

At present the establishment is handling about 45,000 separate pieces each week, the current requirements of the Cook Hospital.

Manning the modern machinery is a staff of 28, formerly of the Cook Hospital laundry, who are managed by Mr Don Kennedy.

Surrounded by enormous heaps of soiled linen, classifier Grant Kennedy sets about the task of sorting the various items prior to washing.

Manager, Mr Don Kennedy.

The six gleaming tumbler washers make short work of the big wash. Tending the machines is Sam Grace.

Neville Fraser empties one of the washers

From the washing machines the laundry is semi-dried by three rotary hydro-extractors and then passes by conveyor belt through a pre-conditioning tumbler which dries it further. Margaret Reeves is seen at the pre-conditioning machine.

Shirley James and Jenny Sharpe take the folded sheets from the end of the ironing machine.

Lois Rickard steam-presses one of the 6500 nurse and domestic smocks which pass through the laundry each week.

75% of the laundry's output passes through this massive multi-roll suction ironing and folding machine (fed by two girls at rear), which handles up to 6000 sheets per hour.

An interior view of the laundry with the ironing machine at left

The boiler house (left) and laundry building, as seen from a hill overlooking the Base Hospital site.

The old washing machines at the Cook Hospital are a far cry from their modern counterparts. Viewing the vacated building are staff members Caroline Hopps and Rosemary Large.

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 140 : February 23, 1966

The Big Wash