ELIMINATING DELAY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 65, 17 April 1945, Page 5

ELIMINATING DELAY

TESTING INFECTIOUS CASES

HOSPITAL BOARD'S CONCERN

Efforts by the Whakatane Hospital Board to have its infectious tests carried out by the Bacteriologist employed by the Rangitaiki Plains Dairy Company > in order to avoid the delay of from three to four, days entailed by sending 'swabs' to Auckland or to Gisborne have met with reasonable and the matter which is yital from the Board's point of view was fully discussed at ' last Thursday's meeting.

Messrs Mullins and Caul field who liad been authorised to enquire into the possibilities reported that the Company was prepared to accommodate the Board in this respect, though it was suggested by the Bacteriologist himself (Mr Hodgson) that his services could be utilised in his own time by carryilng out the necesary incubation tests at his residence tit Lake Rotoma, and reporting next day as to results.

The chairman (Mr L. Buddie): Any arrangements we. make in this respect must be subject to> the Health Department's approval.

Mr Mullins said the danger of the present diphtheria was that when iirst suspected, the patients were often not sufficiently ill enough to go into hospital, and were frequently still moving round until such time as they were proved positive cases. Diphtheria seemed to be unusual in this respect that in its early stages the patient did not ap - pear to suffer, though he or she may be a carrier. At the present time it took four to five days to get a report back before these people knew they were.. positive cases or not.

''This seems to be a serious thing," said Mr F. Burt. "Why can't we combine with the other hospitals in the Bay and have a bacteriologist of our own to do our testing?"

The chairman stated that the Tauranga Hospital sent its samples to either Hamilton or Auckland, whilst Whakatane and Gpotiki sent theirs to Gisborne. He agreed that something should be done to improve on the present position.

Mr McGougan said lie welcomed the co-operation of the Dairy Company ' and criticised the delay at •Gisborne where recently he understood that the Easter holidays had intervened and thus further delayed the reports on the tests. In his -opinion if any institution undertook •work of this nature their officers, in the interests of the health of the community should be prepared to carry out urgent tests all the time. Arrangements should at least be made to have a relieving bacteriologist to take over during holidays. Mr Mullins: We are studying the

cure of the disease, more, than its prevention. There have been complaints to me over the dela} T s in 'swab' tests/ Very often children have not been committed until it is known whether their diagnosis is right or wrong. Nobody has complained to me about the hospital, .hut I think in their own interests that parents should be notified that immediately a child is suspected ? they should be kept away from the others until such time as it is proved they are negative.

Mr McGowgan: There are complaints, that in the hospital suspected patients, are allowed all over the place !

The Chairman: I can definitely say that that is not so. Immediately a child is admitted as a they are kept isolated in a side room.

Mr Buddie went on to say that he agreed whole-heartedly to speed the present method up. If it was necessary, in the interests of the public the board might have to set up a laboratory of its own. In the meantime it could seek to complete its arrangements with the Dairy Company. He. .suggested the formation of a committee with the Medical Superintendent to go further with the matter with both the Company and the Department and follow the suggestion through.

The committee was then appointed as under: The Chairman, Messrs Caulfleld and Mullins and Dr. Dawson.