Medical services
Sir,—The article in Tuesday’s issue implied that there is no over-all shortage of doctors, that hospital staffing has improved, and that there is no recent deterioration of medical services. Though this may be generally true, there is serious shortage in some key fields. In Christchurch we have for some time lacked three specialist histo-patholo-gists (on their work depends, for example, definitive diag-
nosis of cancer, and hence its proper treatment), a medical microbiologist and, desirably, a virologist. Diagnosis and treatment of Canterbury patients with infectious diseases would greatly benefit from the presence of the last two. I am conscious that lack of these specialists has resulted in a deterioration of some laboratory services to patients; the shortages are serious in relation to teaching needs in the clinical school next year. Unfortunately, salaries and conditions of hospital employment are a deterrent to recruitment both in New Zealand and from overseas.—Yours, etc., D. T. STEWARD, M.D. Chairman, Pathology Services, North Canterbury Hospital Board. December 6, 1972.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33093, 7 December 1972, Page 16
Word Count
166Medical services Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33093, 7 December 1972, Page 16
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