Doctors Would Use Banned Apparatus

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30144, 30 May 1963, Page 14

Doctors Would Use Banned Apparatus

(New Zealand Press Association)

DUNEDIN, May 29.

An indication that Dunedin doctors would not hesitate to use the £3OOO heart-lung machine to save life in an emergency, was given today. But the Department of Health’s ruling of March, 1962, against its use on people has not yet been lifted. ’

“If the machine is here and operating, there is little doubt that it would be used in any case to save human life. The doctors concerned the hospital administration, and indeed the Health Department would not stand aside if there was urgent need for the machine in individual cases.” said Dr. N. C. Begg, the press liaison officer for the Otago division of the British Medical Association

“I am certain that professional ethics in such an emergency would, not permit the machine to remain idle.”

The machine, a gift from the Freemasonic fraternity.

arrived in the city in Novemb< last year and is being used successfully for regular animal experiments. A committee set up by the Minister of Health (Mr McKay) last October to inquire into the need for a second cardiac surgery unit in the country has completed its report and this is now understood to be in the hands of the Health Department. Dr. Begg, said that the general question of the use ol the heart-lung machine was not the responsibility of the B.M.A. and no formal policy had been adopted But in answer to a reporter's questions he issued a 'Statement to “make clear the feeling of members." "The Otago division of the B M.A. is watching with great interest the position of the heart-lung machine There is no doubt that the Medical School should have priority in. these matters and that this machine should be used in Dunedin.” said Dr Begg. “The responsibility for the setting up of a special unit lies with the Health Department and its ?dvisers and no doubt there are many factors, such a? population, which must be considered.

“However, the Otago division feels that the special position of the only Medical School in New Zealand should influence the decision.” The needs of the Medical School and the requirements of teaching modern surgical techniques will probably “weigh heavy” with the advisory committee members, said Dr. Begg.