HOSPITAL SPECIALISTS FOR WEST COAST FAVOURED BY BOARDS

Grey River Argus, 14 April 1948, Page 4

HOSPITAL SPECIALISTS FOR WEST COAST FAVOURED BY BOARDS

A report on the recent conference of West Coast Hospital boards io discuss the appointment of a mu .mm radiologist as well as a full time pathologist on the West Coast, was received at the meeting of the Grey nospitai noard last evening. In releasing the report the chairman, Mr A. Mosley said the conference itself had mot been qpen to the press because in that way members would ne allowed freedom for discussion, and a better chance to consider the findings. There was nothing to hide, but it had been felt that members would be able to speak more freely if they were not being reported. There were present: Mr A. Mosley (.chairman), Mesdames O. M. Beale. O. B. Pearson, D. M. Parfitt; Messrs H. G. Carter, W. Gutberlet, J. E. Stokes, W. Fisher, D. Mclvor, F. J. Oakley, T. Blackie, and W. H. J. Watson (secretary), Miss N. Moffat (matron), and Dr S. Barclay (Surgical Superintendent).

A section of the report dealing with the appointments and other matters was as follows: —

Radiologist.—After the four superintendents had indicated the volume and range of X-Ray services at present carried out on the West Coast, and the need tor a radiologist to carry out certain X-Ray examinations and interpretation of films, it was mo- ■. by Mr Mosley and seconded by Mr Ward that the appointment of a radiologist to serve the West Coast, be approved.—Carried. Pathologist. — The Superintendents made a similar review of the pathological services available to the West Coast, and pointed out the limitations of the present arrangements under which the work is carried out by the North Canterbury Hospital Board pathologist in the Christchurch laboratory. It was then moved by Mr Ward, and seconded by Mr Stokes, that the appointment of a pathologist to serve the West Coast be approved. —Carried.

Apportionment of costs.—lt was moved'by Mr Mosley and seconded oy Mrs Yellowlees that the Superintendents and Secretaries be authorised to prepare details for the Boards, covering the conditions of working and apportionment of costs of the two positions.—Carried. The secretaries pointed out that any scheme adopted would of necessity be subject to review and amendment in the' light of experience gained. Location of Pathologist.—The Superintendents reported on the laboratory facilities now available and indicated that except for special purposes such as instruction of Laboratory Technicians and supervision of their work, the pathologist’s work would all be carried out at on / laboratory. The Surgeon Superintendent of the Grey Hospital state- that tne laboratory facilities at the Grey Hospital are suitable for the employment of a oafthologist. On the motion of Mr Heenan, seconded by Mr O’Neill, it was recommended that the pathologist be stationed at Greymouth. —Carried.

Mr Heenan moved and Mrs Yellowlees seconded the motion that the Managing Secretary* of the Grey Hospital Board, be requested to circulate the report of this meeting to'the West Coast Boards for their consideration, to report to all Boards the decisions reached by the other Boards and to prepare an application for submission to the Health Department for .approval to proceed with the proposals if sufficient support is indicated by the Boards. —Carried. Mr Coxall moved and Mr Ward seconded a motion, that it be a recommendation to the West Coast Boards that a conference of Boards be held, the first at Westport.—Carried. , ,

The renort was adopted as a whole. As other boards had not yet advised their consideration of it discussion was held over till a. later meeting. A suggestion that West Coast hospitals meet prior to the annual meeting of the Hospital Board’s Association to discuss remits with a view to presenting a united front at the meeting was discussed and viewed favourably by members. It was stated that in some instances the “big” boards had all the say and that a united front might fetch more notice. ARTIFICIAL LIMBS A circular was received from the Health Department advising that outpatients may under a new scheme receive artificial limbs from a charge on the Social Security Fund. This scheme, it was stated, was for persons not entitled to receive limbs under any other right (such as war disability/ Of the total cost of the limo and fitting 80 oer cent is to be born by the Social Security Fund and the remaining amount by the patient. There was no provision made for the transportation of the patient. The notification was received. TUBERCULOSIS PRECAUTIONS The Health Department also sent a circular to the board regarding infectious diseases and tuberculosis research. In this was included certain provision lor nurses among which were regular examinations tor nurses as well as X-Kays of all patients aci..a iv me m.iffution. The letter asked that if X-Rays were not possible for all patients it ne given to all sutfering from apparent, infection of the chest and apply to aii Maori patients to trace tuberculine complaints. The chairman mentioned that if the suggestions were adopted trie X-Ray Department wouA. have a busy time and that in that case the sooner the radiologist was engaged the better. Dr Barclay said that all cases where there was a suspicion of tuberculine complaint were X-Rayed. It wouzJ be desirable if the X-Ray could be applied to all cases but that the present arrangement was satisfactory. However. when the new plant was procured something in the nature suggested might be arranged. In formation as to precautions taken against inurses in tne hospital becoming infected were given by the Matron, Miss N. Moffat, who added that the standard of health among the nurses was very high and not many instances of sickness among the nursing staff. LIBRARY ISSUE Communication was received from the -librarian of the Greymouth Municipal Library of a new system of issuing books to patients at the hospital pgr medium of a quota from the Country Library Service. The board was asked to provide certain equipment to facilitate the handling ot the books. The board agreed to this.