TUBERCULAR CONTROL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 3, 24 July 1946, Page 4

TUBERCULAR CONTROL

SOUTH AUCKLAND SANATORIUM MINISTER’S EXPLANATION Whether or not the proposed South Auckland Sanatorium for the treatment of T.B. should be erected at Hillcrest or not was the subject of a letter from the Minister of Health (Hon. F. M. Nordmeyer) to the Whakatane County Council on Tuesday. The letter constituted an answer to the Council’s recent protest against the site. In his reply the Minister stated that the site was chosen primarily for the erection of a modern institution for tuberculous patients requiring hospital type. of treatment and attention. It was necessary that such an institution be situated adjacent to the main hospital where surgical and laboratory facilities are readily available. For many years these patients had been accommodated at the Waikato Hospital and had sufficient space been available the new accommodation would have been erected on the site of the institution. In addition to providing for these patients it was necessary to arrange accommodation for patients requiring sanatorium type of treatment to serve the northern part of the Dominion and as already indicated many possible areas were inspected. The Minister pointed out that with the modern methods of treatment, medical opinion was that the conditions formerly sought for tuberculous patients, viz., the provision of sanatoria in outlying districts or on excessive heights were not necessary for successful treatment. The tendency now in England was for the cases to be accommodated within the general hospitals which were often in crowded areas. An important factor too was that facilities for rehabilitation of the patients were thus usually more readily available when required. It was agreed that there were material advantages in staffing and supplying the institutions also in these circumstances.

The conditions of fog and smoke to which the Council referred were fully examined, but the consensus of expert medical opinion was that they would not have any deleterious effect on the health of tuberculous cases. Having regard to all these considerations, therefore it was decided that the most suitable arrangement would be to erect the Sanatorium on the Hillcrest site. He trusted that the Council with the additional information now given had gained a fuller appreciation of the requirements and that it would be able to withdraw its opposition to the site.

Cr McCready was strongly critical of the letter. He declared that opposition to the site was widespread and that its determination had been left in the hands of experts. He deprecated this manner of selection backing it up by reciting the volume of conflicting medical opinions on the treatment of T.B. and concluded by maintaining that it was a racket which should be exposed. The chairman: The Council has entered its protest against the site. Cr McCready: It remains then for us to maintain, that protest.

In answer to the Matamata County’s invitation to be represented at a forthcoming deputation to the Waikato Hospital Board on August 12, the Council decided to appoint the County Chairman to attend if possible