Clinic to move to hospital

Press, 20 February 1979, Page 6

Clinic to move to hospital

The transfer of services provided by the chest clinic in Armagh Street to Princess Margaret Hospital has been approved in priciple by the institutions committee of the North Canterbury Hospital Board.

The approval was made after the committee heard reports from staff at Princess Margaret Hospital who would take over the services now provided by the chest clinic. No users had been consulted when the reports were being made and approval in principle of the transfer would mean the withdrawal of a very convenient service, said Mrs C, B. Cartwright, a committee member.

“Some patients may have to go to the private sector because of the shift — at a cost of $9 an X-ray,’’ she said.

The move would cut down on travelling time for pa-

tients with respiratory diseases, said Dr M. Guthrie, the Medical Superintendent of Princess Margaret Hospital.

Many persons who had just walked in from the street for X-rays at the clinic would have teen better off seeing their doctors first, he said.

Because of the old equipment at the chest clinic it would cost $42,000 to keep the clinic open, said Dr L. MbH.' Berry, the Medical Superintendent-in-Chief. The type of X-ray offered at the chest clinic had lost credibility over the years and the “drop-in” service provided by the, clinic could be provided by the Health Department’s mobile chest X-ray service, said Dr Berry. The transfer was approved with the proviso that the board write to those likely to be affected by it.