Board reacts strongly to doctor’s attack

Press, 10 May 1979, Page 1

Board reacts strongly to doctor’s attack

Planning efforts diverted to the building of the Christchurch Clinical School and a general shortage of finance were yesterday given as the major reasons for problems in some of the old wards at Christchurch Hospital.

All but two members of the works committee of the North Canterbury Hospital Board made a vociferous attack on comments made on Tuesday by a visiting American medical expert, Professor Robert Zeppa. Professor Zeppa said that large parts of Christchurch Hospital should be closed because they posed a health risk to patients. He listed overcrowded old

wards and the dangers of infection among major problems at the hospital.

Committee members were adamant that Professor Zeppa’s comments would only cause concern to patients and did little in the form of constructive assistance. His statements had not been researched to give him the benefit of years of effort made by the board to overcome the problems. The board was fully aware of the problems and both the previous Minister of Health (Mr Gill), the present Minister of Health (Mr Gair). and the Department of Health were also aware of them, said the chairman of the board (Mr T. C. Grigg) yesterday.

“The board gives its unqualified assurance that it is certain the quality of care given to patients in Christchurch is of the highest standards, although the board is proceeding expeditiously to improve the older wards at Christchurch Hospital.” Three of the wards to which Mr Grigg referred are in the old Chalmers block which was built more than 60 years ago. Renovations, which will cost about $400,000. will extend the life of the block by 10 years, but no date has been set as to when the block, which contains the orthopaedic wards referred to by Professor Zeppa, will be updated. Mr W. L. F. Utley, a

former chairman of the works committee said that Ward I and Ward 3 had not had any maintenance money spent on them for years. Urgent action was necessary to ensure that planning delays of up to two years affecting the conversion of other old

wards, did not also apply to the two orthopaedic wards. “The orthopaedic wards are in an extremely serious situation now,” he said. “Something has to be done, and quickly.”

The construction of the Christchurch Clinical School which was a vital

asset to Christchurch, had impeded maintenance work on the old wards. No wards, however, had been allowed to reach a state where they posed a danger to patients, Mr Utley said. The chairman of the board’s finance committee

(Mr C. F. .Whitty) said that reconstruction of old buildings and the erection of new ones had to be viewed in light of the economic restraints imposed on the board. Statements made by Professor Zeppa could cause unnecessary fears to

patients, Mr D. H, Lawrence said.

“We should not frighten people by literally warning them that there is a great risk when there is none. That, to me, is a dreadful thing to say. However, I am not saying that we should hide behind a cloak of secrecy,” fip said. Mr Grigg said that he found it “quite incredible” visitor to the hospital ' should make such extravagant statements without “having the courtesy” to have a discussion with the chairman of the board to ascertain the full facts.

After the meeting of the works committee, Professor Zeppa held discussions with Mr Grigg regarding

his criticisms of the Chri: 1 church Hospital. Ar*er his meeting with Professor Zeppa, Mr Grigg agreed that there were major problems being faced by the board regarding the.old wards. Further publicity on the matter would, however, be coun.fcr-productive in the board’s continuing discussions with the Government, Mr Grigg said. “It would not be in the interests of Christchurch Hospital or the patients for any further publicity of this matter,” he said. Professor Zeppa will leave Christchurch on Saturday to give a paper at a conference in Brisbane of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons. The chairman of the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Medical

Association fDr L. F. Austin) said yesterday that no approach had been made to the association on the problems at Christchurch Hospital. “I presume that it would be considered by the hospital’s own medical staff who would be involved through the board.” Miss M. M. Darby, acting chief nursing officer for the Hospital Board and chairman of the Canterbury branch of the Nurses’ Association, said that she had received no direct approach from staff members on matters touched on by Professor Zeppa. Nursing staff were, however, conscious of the fact that the older wards were being renovated and that pressures would be relieved.

Health reporter