SPECIALISTS MAY TREAT PATIENTS AT WHAKATANE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 74, 9 December 1949, Page 5

SPECIALISTS MAY TREAT PATIENTS AT WHAKATANE

Although no final decision was reached, the Bay of Plenty Hospital Board at its monthly meeting at Whakatane yesterday revealed a favourable attitude towards a scheme to support medical specialists stationed at Gisborne who would visit the Whakatane District Hospital each month and provide free treatment. With five hospitals taking part, Cook Hospital (Gisborne), Whakatane, Wairoa, Waiapu (Tokomafu Bay) and Opotiki, each would contribute to the scheme.

Outlining the suggestion • the chairman, Mr J. Mullins, said that the specialists required were a radiologist, bacteriologist, ear, nose and throat specialist, orthopaedic surgeon, a pathologist and a surgical bootmaker. The orthopaedic surgeon had already been appointed and he had commenced his visits to Whakatane.

Mr Mullins pointed out that the surgeons would be stationed at Gisborne and then visit each rural hospital once a month. Each hospital board would contribute to the expenses.

The medical superintendent, Dr. E. T. Dawson, considered it was an excellent. scheme and would give the country people a very much better medical service. They would not have to leave the, district for treatment.

Mr A. F. McGougan considered the idea a good one and thought it should be supported. b Final decision on the question was deferred, however, until the next meeting.