WOOLSTON CLINIC

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29799, 16 April 1962, Page 14

WOOLSTON CLINIC

Extended Hour Declined Representations to have the Woolston industrial health elinic open on a full-time basis have been unsuccessful. In a letter to Mr N E Kirk, member of Parliament for Lyttelton, the Minister of Health (Mr McKay) said: “It would seem impracticable for the department to provide a full nursing programme at the Woolston clinic at the present time. “The Woolston clinic at present serves abouf 1600 workers This number may. however, increase with further industrial development in the district. The number that received attention at the clinic last year was first attendances, 603; re-dressings. 528 “Comparing these figures with the total number of hours should the clinic be opened on a full-time basis would allow 16 hours for the treatment of each patient “Should the attendance increase to any great extent consideration will be given to the staffing of the clinic all day," said Mr McKay Mr Kirk said yesterday the reply was very disappointing and most unsatisfactory He would make further representations to the Minister “The hours of the clinic should be based on the need to ensure that first aid is available at the time of the accident rather than how long it takes to render that aid," said Mr Kirk

“Only a few days ago the chairman of the Workers' Compensation Board stressed the importance of first aid in industrial accidents Yet we find in Woolston a policy being followed that reduces the first aid coverage available to the workers in local industry This is ridiculous." said Mr Kirk