Role of new clinical school

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33067, 7 November 1972, Page 34

Role of new clinical school

The new Christchurch Clinical School should not be over-ambitious in what it sets out to achieve in its investigative programme. the foundation professor of surgery at the school (Professor W. A. A. G. MacBeth) said.

Professor Macßeth said at the annual meeting of the Canterbury Medical Research Foundation that the school should begin with the simple things it could do well. "We must determine what the results of our treatment are; what is the most appropriate treatment, and what is the natural history of disease.” he said. He said that, in this context. Christchurch was uniquely situated with a population sufficiently large for the results to be meaningful. and sufficiently stable to be representative. The school should have an open mind on the direction of its investigative programme.. It should concentrate on the particular areas of strength which at present exist.

Professor Macßeth mentioned, in particular, the work in relation to some of the congenital anomalies by the departments of urology, paediatrics, and radiology. “Roughly in the same region is the spinal injuries unit, which at present offers a standard of treatment not available elsewhere in New Zealand,” he said. The unit required, for its logical expansion and development, the provision of facilities which must be in keeping with a national unit.

Professor Macßeth also emphasised the need for a neuro-surgeon to meet the pressures that exist because of the prevalence of vehicular accident and trauma and the numerous severe head injuries that result