MOBILE X-RAY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22340, 27 May 1947, Page 4

MOBILE X-RAY

SUGGESTED PLAN PRINCIPLE APPROVED GISBORNE APPLICATION Gisborne's claims to be named as the base tor a mobile X-ray service were voiced yesterday at the meeting of the Cook Hospital Board when it was decided to approve the principle of mobile X-ray services, the Pukeora Sanatorium committee being the coordinating authority for the group, and that Gisborne be the centre from which the unit operates. This was in support o£ a resolution received from the Pukeora committee authorising that committee to act on behalf of all boards in the group in discussions with the Department of Health for purposes o£ preparing a scheme to be submitted to boards within the group for consideration. In moving that, the board approve the principle, Mr. H. H. Barker stressed the fact that the district's claims for use as a base were strongest because of the nature of the East Coast area with its extensive unreticulated district. The unit would be ideal to take the X-ray service into that area. The motion was seconded by Mr. G. D Muirhead. The managing secretary, Mr. C. A. Harries, read correspondence on the question, explaining that the Pukeora committee desired the support of the board to act as a negotiating agent between the department and the boards. The initial cost of the equipment would be borne by the Government and the department would be responsible for its direction and supervision. The base for the eastern area would be cither Gisborne or Napier. Only certain groups would be X-rayed and the service would not be compulsory. Reference Back to Board Mr. J. B. Williams questioned whether it would be wise to hand over the responsibility to the Pukeora committee. Howevr, if the matter was to be referred back it would safeguard the board. The chairman, Mr. M. T. Trafford, said all seven boards were represented by the Pukeora committee and the question would be handled in a correct manner by that body. Mr. Williams said the operation of a mobile unit in the district would "get to the Maori population, where it is needed," Mr. Muirhead said that by supporting the resolution the board was contributing to the measures necessary to assist the scourge of tuberculosis. Mr. J .If. Hall suggested that the hoard should look upon tire matter as a national problem and should not subscribe to any views that would make it a parochial issue. It was a national disease requiring national supervision. Some hospital boards were not in the group of the sanatorium and he felt it essential in the national interest that their membership should be compulsory. Because people were migratory by nature, Mr. Hall said there was a fear that movements from a district where great control was not exercised to a district under strict supervision would contribute- to the spread of the disease. Stronger measures should be taken to control those movements to make conditions safe for the Dominion as a whole. Mr. Hall said it was essential to the welfare of all concerned and the board should look upon the Government ns the control. Mr. Barker said those in the respective districts knew best the conditions applicable to the areas. The board was delegating its power to Pukeora. The East Coast was where the incidence was greatest and that was where the work should be carried out. He hoped that Pukeora would realise the _ “we _ are labouring under peculiar difficulties.’' Only a self-contained mobile unit would be suitable for operation on the Coast. Chairman's Explantion Mr. Trafford explained that the East Coast was not tire area of greatest incidence of tuberculosis. The Pukeora committee would probably look up its records when making a decision on a base for the unit ana see that Hawke’s Bay was the logical centre. Mr. Trafxord said mere nad been comparatively lew patients admitted to Pukeora from Gisborne and the East Coast. Mr. Barker said Hawke’s Bay probably had more admissions because they got in. touch with people suspected of naving the disease. “We haven i lapped the East Coast," he said. Mrs. E. R. Scott claimed that the figures of beds occupied at Pukeora by residents from this district were of little value. Mr. E. R. Black said he thought the board could depend on the support of the Department of Health, which had knowledge of the true position. He did not thinK it quite a fair condition that the board should be called upon to meet maintenance costs because tne Gisborne and East Coast district roads would result in the greatest wear and tear on equipment in the eastern district. "It does not seem quite fair that in a district where reticulation is so poor we should be responsible lor the maintenance of a plant doing a national service,’’ continued Mr. Black. “It should be a national responsibility.’’ Mr. Harries explained that maintenance costs would only be a partial responsibility of the board. In reply to Mr. Black, the medical superintendent, Dr. R. J, B. Hall, said the hospital would be a filtering ground for the sanatorium. The motion was carried.