RISKS OF INFECTION

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 747, 21 August 1929, Page 7

RISKS OF INFECTION

Hospital Scheme Attacked INFECTIOUS DISEASES BLOCK SITE Dr. E. B. Gunson Hits Out ■•ECONOMICALLY unsound ... a very serious risk of crosst infection ... a considerable body of medical opinion is against it.” These were some of the expressions used by Dr. E. B. Gunson at yesterday’s meeting of the Auckland Hospital Board, in launching a strong protest at the move to build an infectious diseases block on the site immediately below the main hospital buildings. Determined objections were also put forward by a deputation representing the National Council of Women and by a petition from Grafton residents Beyond admitting that the scheme had yet to he finalised, the chairman, Mr. W. Wallace, and his chief supporter, Mr. E. 11. Potter, refused to bend before the gale of disapproval, and Mr. Wallace concluded his defence of the proposal by accusing the Press of bias in giving publicity to the evidence , before the hoard.

The discussion opened alter the reading of the protest from the Grafton residents. This was followed by a report from the medical superintendent, Dr. C. E. Maguire, who claimed there was absolutely no danger of infection as disease was not air-borne. Malaria was spread by a type of mosquito and the obvious course was to wage war against the mosquitoes. “As we have already spent between £5.000 and £6,000 on the site, it would be futile to reconsider the question without very good grounds,” said Mr. Wallace, in moving that the protest be received. “This question has been before the hdnorary medical statf since 1925. The medical superintendent has approved of the scheme, and he knows as much about such matters as any man in the country. Dr. Gould, after visiting Vancouver, has approved of it, and visiting experts have given their approval. Dr. Gunson contended that not only did a considerable number of the honorary medical staff disapprove of the proposal, but many other medical men did not approve. "A considerable body of medical opinion is against it, and the board cannot ignore that,” he declared. He took it that the board was not obliged to erect the block on that site and that it would be competent to refuse any of the tenders that were being called. STRONG OBJECTION “I notice that the chairman, in a statement to the Press, referred to the possible alternative use of the hospital,” he continued. “I strongly object to any exaggeration of the scattered nature of the buildings. It would be economically unsound.” All know that the nursing arrangements at the hospital were severely taxed and the addition of possibly 100 extra beds would make the position still worse. If the board was going to ask the matron to take over the running of the new block a great strain would be imposed. “Moreover, there would be very serious risk of cross-infection because that is where the risk of cross-infection arises,” he said. Mr. Potter: The site and the proposal have received the unanimous recommendation of the staff. Dr. Gunson: Of the staff? Mr. Potter: Yes, of the staff. Dr. Gunson: Hm-m. Referring to the decrease in Auckland’s record of infectious diseases, Mr. Potter said there had been 118 typhoid cases in 1901-1902 and only 15 in 1928. It was to be remembered that there was accommodation in the old infectious diseases wards for 80 patients. After a world-wide inspection Dr. lVatt had stated that infectious diseases blocks should not be too far away. Was it not a fact that in the United States and Canada, authorities recommended that infectious diseases wards be made part of hospital blocks? “PATIENTS WOULD DIE” Dr. Gunson: That is in big cities where they are short of space. Mr. Potter: I am referring to hospital plans generally. You know perfectly well that it is dangerous for diphtheria cases to be iaken too far away. We have had cases where patients have just arrived at hospital in time. Why, if they had to go, say, to Manurewa, patients would die on the road. Dr. Gunson: Is this your opinion? Mr. Potter: Yes. Based on the considered and unanimous opinion submitted to this board by the medical men of Auckland. A deputation from the National Council of Women, headed by Miss B. Carnachan, president, was heard at this stage. “We have in no way changed our views,” said Miss Carnachau in mentioning that the occasion was the second on which the council had approached the board. Dr. Hilda Northcroft said that the extreme anxiety of the council at the prospect of an infectious diseases block on the proposed site had been increased by the board’s admission at the time of the Maui Pomare outbreak that it had no place to put the men. It seemed a very desperate state of affairs. "It is desirable to have an isolated hospital where isolation can he carried out,” she said. She had noticed that one of the staff had said that a 10ft. wall would have to be built. Evidently, it was intended to have nurses’ quarters, but the board had got human nature to contend with. “The only way to secure isolation would be to erect a fence with live wires,” she declared. “Otherwise nurses will pass to and fro, and that's not isolation. There would be a constant risk of infection. “At present, as you know, parents get in to see their children. I beg of you to reconsider your decision. Other cities have isolated sites. It is possible with good modern roads to have a place within easy reach of doctors, yet not too easy for parents." WOMEN ROUSED Mrs. Mary Dreaver assured the board that not only the council, tut the women of Auckland generally, felt very strongly on the question. They

were talking about it everywhere. The present proposal was not fair to the parents in the main hospital, for proper isolation was not possible. "We know it is too late,” she said, “but there is nothing to stop your putting up a high wall. Part of the block encroaches on the Domain Drive, and whatever they are told, people will come in and use it as a tliorougnfare. You admit the building will be only temporary. Why not start at once and build in an outside area? We do hope you will listen and quiet the minds of mothers and parents. You know as well as I do that it is not right to have this block in the middle o£ the city.”

Explaining that the board wished to do the right thing, Mr. Wallace asked if Dr. Northcroft could tell him how nurses were to he prevented from mingling with the public. Dr. Northcroft: It is not that. It is the danger of their mingling with nurses on ordinary cases. Mrs. Dreaver: Will you have separate cooking and laundry? Mr. Wallace: Clothing will be disinfected before going to the laundry. Pood will he passed from air passages, and dishes will be disinfected. A high wall, he added, would he a very costly undertaking. Mrs. Dreaver I It might be cheapest in the finish. In reply to a question-, Mr. Wallace said that the plans provided for a fence on the Grafton Gully side. The deputation then withdrew. “IN GOOD COMPANY” The Rev. W. C. Wood contended that the time for discussion was when the plans came up for approval. He thought the position was unsatisfactory, hut did not want to delay the board until an actual issue was before it. Mr. W. K. Howitt: When Dr. Gunson says considerable medical opinion is against us, it makes one think. If I’m wrong, I’m in very good company, because a roomful of medical meu of the honorary staff insisted that we should go on with the scheme. Mr. J. Rowe agreed with Mr. Wood, and contended that the discussion was out of order, but the chairman ruled that it could proceed. Mr. J. D. Chalmers said he would like to see the plgms of the proposed block. He had never seen them. The petition from the Grafton residents was received, it being decided to forward to them a copy of Dr. Maguire’s report. “If any mistake has been made it lies at the door of our medical advisers,” Mr. Wallace told the board. “Only recently I asked Dr. Ludbrook, secretary of the honorary medical staff, to call a meeting for the further discussion of the matter, and he said it was unnecessary as the result would be the same.” Gazing hard at the Press table, Mr. Wallace added: —“I don’t know if the Press will publish that or not. It has given publicity to Dr. Gunson’s side, and not to the other.” Mr. Potter: If the Press doesn’t, we will put it in as an "ad.” A Member: That’s what it wants. The discussion then closed.