DANGEROUS X-RAY PLANT

Chronicle (Levin), 5 February 1948, Page 4

DANGEROUS X-RAY PLANT

Ref'errihg to the urgency of the work at Otaki, Air. Nash drew the attentioh d'f the committee to. a- report, by .tlife' medical supefirtte'fidfent (Dr. (j. h\ Wiison ) .on the statd of the X-vity plant. Tliis stated that the plant had broken do'wn eai-fev .in Jiiiiudry aiid fof . tv'O weeks the 'Sanatorium was wifhoiii X-ray facilities. The piant was inadequate and was dangerous to operators1 " arid patients b'feeaiise of the manner or its installation whieh was now - ,quitfe! illegal. If the buildirig of a -new X-ray room were not uiidertaken in the nffear futnre, corisideration would liave to nfe given to the installation of the ' new macliin'e in soriie" e'xisting room. Air. Phillipps said tlife ■committee had receritiy purcliased an X-ray piant frorii tbe Palifrerstori Noftlt. Hospital Poard arid ihe plriris for Otaki included .thfe constntction of an X-ray block. The olft plant wa-s installed .in what had previously been a waslihouse. "We must malce it clear tliat tiie. Govefnriifeiit will be lifeld fe'.sporisible for any grave consequences whieh may arise from the use of the X*-ray plant iii its presferit dangerous state," coniriiented Air. Nash. ' ' Do you realise the full .import of that report?" asked Air. Toogood. "if we have aiDaccident the committee gonfe a million. AVe should sit on the plant and refuse to use it." "I maintain-that the Government ife responsible .and I intend to show thii report to the Atinister, " said Air. NaSh. "I Have been thrown flat by thfe machine and I don't want it to happeri again," said Dr. AArilson, who €fud ari X-ray plant was essential to tlie Ofiferation of thfe ho'spitril. Inrpqrtant work had to be deferfed during the fortnighi tlie plant was out of action. THe tejriporarv use of a shock-proof portable machine would eliminate the r-isk. _ Air. Bfokenshirfe: ..Instfead of killing ; the patients with 'fj{p.'fnac liine it;wpf'id be better to let gl^tubefculosis. ■ ' Dr. Wilson said the plant eould"; b'fe closed dowri for a fortnight. until repreSeritatifeiis were niade to tlie Alinistfef but patients requiring X-ray would have to bfe taken tb the Palmerston North Hfespital fof feCrefeiiirig. On the motion of Mr. Brokenshire if was resolved that the plant should fife closed down forthwith and not used again in its present' dangerous state. Arr. .Phillipps was ahthqfised tb endeavout to' bofrbW k sHdeit-lirbof portable machine as a temporary expedient.