OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25082, 14 January 1947, Page 6

OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY

NEW HOSPITAL AT AUCKLAND

AGREEMENT reached

(P.A) AUCKLAND, January 13. Agreement on all controversial points involved in the establishment of an obstetrical and gynaecological teaching and hospital unit in Auckland has now been reached except in the choice of a site. This was revealed an interview by Sir William Fletcher Shaw, the distinguished British gynaecologist who has assisted New Zealand authorities in their examination pf pj-Qppsals. “I Speedily found that all organisations interested m the proposal were most enthusiastic, and if I have been of any service it has only been m reaching a common agreement in a few points of procedure over which there were differences of opinion/’ gir William Shaw said, “The Government. the University, the Auckland Hospital Board, members of the hospital visiting .staff, and the-business-men’s committee, which raised the endowment funds, have all shown the greatest co-operation and willingness to meet the views of other parties.” The selection of a site. Which wps the only point on which unanimity had yet to fee reached, was most important, he said. It was a difficult problem, but he was confident that it would soon be solved. All groups represented in the discussions deserved the greatest commendation fqr their disinterested approach to the subject. A professor of obstetrics and gynaecology, who would be director of the new hospital, would be appointed by the University, and the Hospital Board hgd shown the greatest co-operation in making these arrangements, he saidIt had also been agreed that the position should be stabilised by a short Act of Parliament. “The most important fence has still to be faced —the finding of a highlyqualified professor and director,’’ Sir William Shaw said. ‘‘The need could scarcely have arisen at a more difficult period, as so many universities in Great Britain and the Dominions have been asking for professors in obstetrics and gynaecology, and the war has affected training in this branch more than in general medicine and surgery." Whether it would be possible to perSpade New Zealanders sufficiently well trained and established in Great Britain to undertake this pioneering work remained to be seen, he added. It was a wonderful opportunity to do a great deal for New Zealand medicine, although it woqld mean a considerable sacrifice, especially financially, .for a specialist already established in Britain. After spending nearly four months in the Dominion, Sir William Shaw will leave for Sydney by air to-mor-row.