Retain X-ray unit — former surgeon

Press, 27 July 1982, Page 15

Retain X-ray unit — former surgeon

Parliamentary reporter A former Dunedin thoracic surgeon has asked the Minister of Health (Mr Malcolm) to retain the South Island Xray unit. In a letter to Mr Malcolm, made public by the member for Lyttelton. Mrs Ann Hercus. Mr J. Borrie. the former charge-surgeon of the Dunedin Thoracic Surgical Unit, said that he was "deeply concerned that the one remaining mass miniature X-ray unit (M.M.R.) in the South" Island was to be closed. ■ Although Mr Malcolm had said the reason for the closing was the unit's unsuitability for diagnosing lung and heart complaints, and the very low South Island incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis — the main "justification for its use — Mr Borrie said that more lung cancer cases had been referred as a result of M.M.R. films than tuberculosis cases. Of the first 250 patients referred to surgeons at the Thoracic Unit, 52 per cent had lung cancer. 10 per cent had tuberculosis. 7 per cent had hydatid cysts and 5 per cent had haematoma. In 1980, cases referred to the unit after M.M.R. screening showed an increased lung cancer per centage — 54.4 per cent. Tuberculosis cases were 7.6 per cent. The Dunedin Thoracic Unit served the southern half of the South Island. Mr Borrie said. For research purposes he had kept a close record of cases referred for assessment from mass miniature X-ray units. Those at particular risk from lung cancer, smokers aged 40 years or more, should be regularly surveyed, Mr Borrie said. “Clearly, with surgery offering the only long-term chance of survival, those at risk, namely smokers of 10 or more cigarettes a day for more than 20 years, should have a chest film every six months, and this would easily be achieved by mass miniature X-ray." Mr Borrie urged Mr Malcolm to reconsider his decision. Closing down the mobile

X-ray unit in the South Island would not mean lung cancer patients losing a safe detection method, said the Minister of Health (Mr Malcolm) when commenting on Mr Borries letter. Mr Malcolm said that Dr Borrie's assertions about the unit s being a suitable diagnosis for lung cancer was not supported by fellow chief specialists. Mr Malcolm said releasing the letter was bringing politics into medicine. “I respect Dr Borrie’s point of view, but medically speaking my advisers tell me he is in the minority. I promised the public I would release all the facts before making any decision, and I did.. “I also listed the names of the members of my advisory committee so that the people of the South Island could see, they were medically competent to advise me" on this case. “I announced yesterday the benefits the South Island would gain in the area of hearing services from the closing of the unit,” Mr Malcolm said. “Mrs Hercus is trying to make political gains out of a move that has only positive aspects for the South Island." The unit was a miniature X-ray. Mr Malcolm said. “All along I. my department. and other medical people have emphasised the need for regular X-rays for heavy smokers who are concerned about lung cancer," he said. Earlier, the New Zealand Medical Association gave support to the Government’s decision to do away with mass mobile X-ray services in the South Island. The association's chairman, Dr Jeremy Hopkins, said that the main value of the service was in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. He said that a dramatic fall off of tuberculosis in the South Island meant the service was no longer needed. “When we realise that in 1981 more than 29,000 X-rays in the South Island revealed only one case, it is obvious that the mobile X-ray has had its day." he said. ’