N.Z. SURGEON TO VISIT U.S.

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25422, 19 February 1948, Page 6

N.Z. SURGEON TO VISIT U.S.

—♦— STUDY OF “BLUE BABY” ‘ OPERATIONS From Our Own Reporter WELLINGTON, Februray 18. The Government has selected a surgeon to go to the United States to study the technique and practice of- the “blue baby” operation and other recent developments in heart surgery. He is Mi - G. D. Robb,- a thoracic surgeon, of Auckland. Announcing the selection to-day, the Minister of Health (Miss Mabel Howard) said that Dr. Alfred Blalock, head of the department of surgery at the. Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, well known for his association with this particular operation, would willingly place at the disposal of any visiting surgeon sent by the New Zealand Government facilities for .the observation and study of the “blue baby” operation, “I wish to take this opportunity of thanking Dr. Blalock publicly on behalf of the Government and the people of New Zealand for his willingness to help this country in this particular matter,” said the Minister. The intention is that on his return to New Zealand, M» Robb will resume his part-time appointment on the staff of the Green Lane Hospital, Auckland. It is hoped to arrange with the Auckland Hospital Board for the establishment of a clinic at the hospital where “blue baby” and allied operations will be carried out on patients from any part of New Zealand. Mr Robb will work in this clinic in association with physicians and radiologists.

“When the ■ necessary negotiations with the Auckland Hospital Board have been completed, my department will issue a circular on this subject to all hospital boards,” Miss Howard added.

“Any person concerned can then inquire from a hospital board about the arrangements that have been made for the proposed clipic at Auckland.” Mr Robb will leave Auckland next Thursday.