The Gisborne Herald. IN WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES." GISBORNE, WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 1947. PLANS FOR MOBILE X-RAY SERVICE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22341, 28 May 1947, Page 4

The Gisborne Herald. IN WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES." GISBORNE, WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 1947. PLANS FOR MOBILE X-RAY SERVICE

WITHOUT doubt Gisborne’s claim to be established as a base for a mobile X-ray service is a very strong one and there would be nothing parochial in pressing it with the utmost energy. In the course of the Cook Hospital Board discussion during which a motion was passed approving the principle of the service, the case for Gisborne as a base was clearly and convincingly put by Mr. 11. 11. Barker, who referred to the nature of the East Coast area with its extensive unrcticulatcd district. “We haven’t tapped IGe East Coast,’’ be declared in answer to a statement that comparatively few patients bad been admitted to the Pukeora Sanatorium from this area. At a time when there is full recognition of the value, of preventive measures and early detection of a disease like tuberculosis it is surely wise to favour a system that would take a mobile X-ray unit as quickly as possible into settlements whose people have not the advantage of proximity to hospitals possessing the equipment for the practical diagnosis of a suspected ailment. Gisborne, the most easterly town with any pretensions to he designated a “centre’’, appears to he the logical base for serving a large rural population which includes many families living in what can be regarded as actual isolation. These people, above all others, are entitled to the protection offered by modern mobility. It is noted that only certain groups arc to be X-rayed and that Ihe service will not be compulsory. This may be due to realisation of the fact that the travelling X-ray system is merely in its infancy and that it will be impossible to apply its facilities universally in the meantime. The ideal principle, however, would be to aim at the ultimate examination of everybody. In this respect Australia has already given an indication of its intentions. " The Federal Government proposes to introduce within the next two years a scheme for a general X-ray of .all members of the community as a precaution against tuberculosis. The Federal Minister for Health and Social Services, Senator McKenna, said recently that the Commonwealth would probably soon appoint a Director of Tuberculosis who would co-ordinate Commonwealth and State activities in seeing that the latest and host methods were used in the fight. He added: “A widespread search for the disease is certain to produce figures far in advance of those known through notification to State health authorities. The result of the widespread search may involve the need for emergency measures.” It is certain that mobile units will play an important part m detection of the malady and it is equally certain that, if the whole of a country is to be covered, strict attention must be paid by them to all rural areas.