GOVERNMENT TUBERCULOSIS SANATORIA

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 78, 27 December 1926, Page 6

GOVERNMENT TUBERCULOSIS SANATORIA

(To the Editor.) Sir,—The remarks of Mr. W. E. Leadley at the meeting of the North Canterbury Hospital Board last Wednesday give food for thought to those who are interested in the care of our T.B. sufferers. Mr. Leadley is reported to have said, inter alii, that the Cashmere Sanatoria are the mecca to which all tuberculosis sufferers are travelling, and that ths ratepayers arc bearing an unfair burden bccau.se Canterbury has specialised in the treatment of tuberculosis. Mr. l.eadlev seems to be ignorant of tho fact that the Otaki and I’ukcora Sanatoria also claim to specialise in the treatment of tuberculosis. These instil til ions, maintained out of the Consolidated Fund and patients’ fees exist solely in order Hint people who have eontracled the disease mav have special expert treatment, not always obtainable in their own homes. If the' sanatoria, through want of accommodation or for any other reason, are failing Io provide this, so that, as Mr. Leiiillev scorns to imply. North Island patients are compelled to go as far as Christchurch in order to obtain expert treatment, tho sooner the whole question is opened up nnd thoroughly dismissed bv the hospital boards, Hie better it will be for the public interest.— I am, etc., TAXPAYER.