TREATMENT OF TUBERCULOSIS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 13333, 21 December 1943, Page 4

TREATMENT OF TUBERCULOSIS

PROPOSED CENTRAL SANATORIUM Cost To Tauranga Chairman’s Report To Hospital Board The annual cost to the Tauranga district in the event of a sanatorium of 150 beds being established for the treatment of patients within the Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty area is estimated at £ GS4, according to a report in a recent conference in Auckland to discuss the proposal submitted by the chairman of the Tauranga Hospital Board (Mr J. T. Eccleton) at the monthly meeting of the board. Mr Eccleton stated in his report that just prior to the conference a lengthy circular was received from the Director-General of Health with regard to (a) general review of the policy and measures for the control of tuberculosis; (b) sanatorium control and finance—proposal for the provision of sanatorium accommodation in the northern portion of the North Island. Under the heading “Proposals for the provision and maintenance of sanatorium accommodation serving the northern portion of the North Island” it was suggested that a sanatorium of 150 beds be established within the Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty area and that consideration be given to the provisions of similar accommodation in the North Auckland area. Continuing, the circular read: “The purpose of the present statement is to outline a scheme under which boards in the northern portion of\ the North Island will combine to establish and maintain these additional tuberculosis institutions.” Provision was also made that two or more boards might by agreement between them combine to establish and maintain any institution which a single board might establish.

Should all of the 12 hospital boards in the Auckland district combine for the purpose named each board would be represented by one delegate on the joint committee. Auckland would be entitled to exer T cise three votes, Waikato two votes and the remaining boards one vote. Estimated Contribution Under estimated contributions by boards towards maintenance, administration and capital charges of two tuberculosis sanatoria totalling 300 beds, Taui'anga was shown as follows; Estimated occupied beds, six; apportionment estimated maintenance expenses and administration costs at 12/- a bed, £1314; apportionment of estimated capital charges, £ 356; total £ 1670. Estimated amount receivable from Social Security Department, £ 986; net contribution by Thuranga Hospital Board, £ 684. On November 23 representatives of the Whangaroa, Hokianga, Mangonui, Whangarei, Kaipara, Bay of Islands, Tauranga, Bay of Plenty and Opotiki boards met and passed the following resolutions: (1) That this meeting is of the opinion that the problem of tuberculosis, being almost a Maori one, all hospital capital and maintenance and other charges relative thereto should be a national responsibility. (2) That this meeting, being concerned with the well-being of the natives, resolves that the review of Social Security abuses, and the social welfare of the Natives in the direction of improved feeding, housing, clothing and hygienic education is the fundamental initial approach in the control of tuberculosis amongst the natives and suggests that, the native leaders be asked to co-operate and a commission set up to investigate these factors. The conference resolved that the attention of all boards concerned be drawn to the two resolutions, passed at the preliminary conference. At the conference held on the second day the Auckland and Waikato delegates supported a motion that a 150-bed tuberculosis hospital be established somewhere south of Auckland. but on it being' pointed out that any two or more hospital boards might by agreement between them combine and establish and maintain a tuberculosis hospital in their own area the motion was amended as follows:—“That the proposal that a sanatorium of 150 beds be established in the Waikato, Auckland and Bay of Plenty area should be referred for the consideration of the Auckland, Waikato, Thames, Tauranga, Bay of Plenty and Opotiki Hospital Boards and that a further conference of these boards be convened by the Department.” It is expected that the conference will taka place about the middle of February next.