R.S.A. CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1920, Page 3

R.S.A. CONFERENCE

TUBERCW'AR PATIENTS

WELLINGTON, May 31. At the Returned Solders’ Conference, the question of tubercular patients was discussed at length. J)r ( Boxer said lio wished all T.B. men would understand that the Association had their best inat heart. He strongly urged “a chest sweep up” be made. The Conference decided to urge 1.8 v mcn on being discharged from a sanay torinm should be -provided by the Defence Department with permanently suitablo shelter properly furnished, bed, bedding, etc; that where a patient owns a house having a verandah, the Defence Department defray the expenses of having the verandah glassed in and furnished with bedding etc.; that tho personnel of nil sanatoria should, where possible, bo ex-T.B. men;-that compulsory examination every six months of T.B. men outpatients and dischargees, (not'for pensions), by a specialist, or by the specialist who treated the man’s case, and that the Defence Department be responsible for the transportation of patients to the specialist; that it be recommended to the D.G.Ms. to send a chest export through New Zealand to examine all chest cases from N.Z.E.F.

Dr Boxer stated iu approaching the T.B. question, the point of making each man his own employer should not be Overlooked. A nian may have the greatest willingness in the world, but sometimes on . account of his disability, he will not always be able to work as bard for an employer as ho would like to do. , ’

it was decided that a special medical ’ committee of five be set up by the N.Z.R.S.A. to act in an advisory capacity to headquarters, the personnel to consist of three returned chest experts and two T.B. patients. /

Tho Conference also resolved . that where the medical superintendents of sanatoria recommend that treatment in Australia or elsewhere Would be beneficial to T.B. patients, the cost of their treatment and transportation abroad should be borne by the Government.

A deputation, will wait on the Prime Minister to-day to place the remits of tho Conference, regarding T.B’s before him and it was recommended that stress he made of the point mentioned by Dr '~”l3oxer.