TREATMENT AT ROTORUA

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25552, 21 July 1948, Page 4

TREATMENT AT ROTORUA

CASES OF PHYSICAL DISABILITY GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL From Our Own Reporter , , ,>j. WELLINGTON, July 20. A scheme for the treatment ot spastic cases, patients suffering’flUNfta the after-effects of poliomyelitis, and other cases suffering from physical abilities, is now being considered by the Government and it is likely the scheme will be centred at Rotorua. Thjs major plan has put in the background temporarily the possible establishing of a training school for the treatment of poliomyelitis and the training of personnel in the metbodtw Sister Elizabeth Kenny. In an interview to-day about the future of the Kenny system in New Zealand and the claims of Sister G. A. Dryden, of the Kenny hospital at Sfiverstream, that a training school coure be set up immediately, the Ministeifrffl Health (Miss M. B. Howard) said: "At the present time consideration is being given to the adoption of a scheme for the Dominion to provide the most tip* to-date treatment for spastic cases, patients suffering from the after-enetto of poliomyelitis, and other cases suf* fering from physical disabilities. Dr. G. A. Q. Lennane. who recently fir* rived in New Zealand from Great Britain, has been appointed by the Government to take charge of this scheia®. Major Scheme “I am not yet ready to announce the details, but it is probable that this scheme will be based on Rotorua, so that advantage may be taken of the facilities available there. With this major scheme in view, it is hot possible to arrive at a decision at present about the establishment of a training school in the methods of Sister Kenny. It should be clear that the scheme now under consideration takes into account various types of cases. “In the meantime, a limited number of physiotherapists trained ih Kenny technique are available In Ne< Zealand, and they can visit any public hospitals requiring their services/ There are now two Kenny technicians from the United States in New Zealand and it is known that an effort is being made to obtain the services <» a third.