Taranaki Pioneers Mobile X-Ray Unit Work in Dominion

Taranaki Daily News, 4 June 1943, Page 4

Taranaki Pioneers Mobile X-Ray Unit Work in Dominion

Because Taranaki was really the pioneering province in the "advanced attack on tuberculosis the experience gained through the operation of a mobile X-ray unit would have a substantial bearing on the work throughout the Dominion, said Mr. P. E. Stainton, who presided at the first meeting of the executive commit-. tee of the unit at New Plymouth yesterday. The preliminary steps that had already been taken in connection with the introduction of the unit, with which a survey of the Maori population in Taranaki will be made, augured well for a good foundation being laid, added Mr. Stainton. "This is the first real, bold attempt that has been made to attack the disease from the point of prevention instead of cure," he declared. The field of work was very large, but the movement had the co-operation of the Minister and the Director-General of Health, and through them, the support of the director of the division of tuberculosis, Dr. C. A. Taylor, and the medical' officer of health for the district. Dr. J. H. Blakelock. The unit had not yet arrived in New Zealand, it was stated, but a comprehensive report had been presented by the teehnical committee in readiness for its operation. The scope of the service, the best methods of procedure, proposed itinerary and operation were set out in the report, which was approved by the executive, subject to any modification or alteration found necessary by experience. It was decided to call for applications for a technician to take charge of the unit and to be responsible for the taking of the films. Gaining Maoris' Confidence. Arrangements for a programme to introduce the service to the Maori people in the various centres were left in the hands of Mr. W. Wakarua, a member of the Taranaki Maori Trust Board, and Mr. Stainton. It was necessary to gain the confidence of the Maoris, said Mr. Stainton, and to let them know that the unit belonged to them, and was being operated for their benefit. As a result of the survey there would immediately be numbers of cases requirjng treatment. said Dr. H. C. Barrett, medical superintendent of the New Plymouth Hospital. He asked if any arrangements were being made for places to treat such patients. Mr. Stainton explained that it was the task of the committee to discover the cases, but that the question of subsequent treatment was not within its scope. "Even if thg Department of Health decides not to treat the matter from a national pbint of view," he added, "I feel that it is the duty of hospital boards to make provision for treatment." It was impossible tp make any suggestions about treatment until a survey had been made, said Dr. W. S. Fogg, superintendent of the Hawera hospital. .j The executive committee comprises the chairman of the four hospital boards in the province, Messrs. P. E. Stainton (Taranaki), T. R. Anderson (Stratford), A. L. Campbell (Hawera), C. R. Honeyfield (Patea) and a representative of the Taranaki Maori Trust Board, who is to be appointed at the next meeting of the board. Dr. J. N. Blakelock, medical officer of health for the district, and DrE. P. Allen, radiologist to the Taranaki Hospital Board. are ex-officio members. Mr. A. R. P. Boucher, New Plymouth, is secretary. The meeting yesterday was also^ attended by Dr. R. F. Wilson, senior physician at the New Plymouth hospital, Drs. H. C. Barrett. C. R. Lambert and W. S. Fogg, medical superintendents at the New Plymouth, Stratford and Hawera hospitals respectively, Messrs. M. C. Crighton and T. L. Penn, secretaries of the Hawera and Stratford Hosp.ital Boards.