"BLUE BABIES" MAY BE TREATED IN N.Z.

Chronicle (Levin), 15 July 1947, Page 3

"BLUE BABIES" MAY BE TREATED IN N.Z.

AUCKLAND, Julv 14. Arrangements mav be made by the Auckland Hospital Board to liave "blue baby ' ' cases treated in Auckland. A report from the Green Lane hospital committee adopted at a mceting of the board tonight, drew attention to the need for malcing arrangements to obtain the services from America of a surgeon experienced in the treatment of sueli cases or, alternatively, of sencling a surgeon to America to obtain up- ' to-date information 011 the advances made in su,rgery, particularlv in the treatment of "blue baby" cases. The chairman of the committee, Mr. G. T. Parvin, said he hoped the board would adopt the suggestion. He statedj that there was a "blue baby" ease in! his distriet and he was sure the parents could uot pav £1500 or more to take the child to United States for an operation. Mr. Selwyn B. Morris suggested that the question should be deferred untii the arrival of Dr. li. Nicks who haa I been appointcd assistant thoracic sur- ! geou at Green Lane Hospital. He had been in United States recently and haa seen what had been done. After hearing what he had to say it may not be necessarv to scnd anyonc to United States. If it was necessary the board should give the niatter very serious consideration. He understood there was j sufficicut work in the North Island to i warrant an experienced surgeon going | to United States. The board dceided to dei'er considcration until after the arrival of Dr. N ieks.