BATTLE AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 286, 30 August 1935, Page 8

BATTLE AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS

Hospital Board Policy

FULL-TIME OFFICER TO BE APPOINTED More Dispensary Work Its future tuberculosis policy was defined by the Wellington Hospital . Board last night when it adopted resolutions passed at a recent meeting of the full bcard-in-coinmittee, involving, inter alia, the appointment o' a full-time non-resident tuberculosis officer at a salary of £lOOO per annum, with annual increments of £5O up to a maximum of £1250.

Applications for the position are to be sought throughout New Zealand and in the main Australian cities. Other decisions are:

That the dispensary system be extended in Wellington and that other centres within the board's district be opened for certayi hours during the week.

That the dispensary service be available to all, free, irrespective of their domicile.

That a complete record system for follow-up work bd established, which would include the expansion of the *

contact system, particularly in regard to those who have come into contact with patients suffering from the open disease. This is particularly important in respect of those between the ages of 10 and 25 years. That the co-operation of the board’s social welfare officers and other approved qualified district nurses be sought in connection with the domiciliary aspect. It was decided to make an agreement with the Palmerston North and Walpawa boards that the Wellington Tuberculosis Officer have access to Otaki and Pukeora sanatoria for consultation with the medical superintendent concerning Wellington cases. Pensions to be Investigated. The superintendent. Dr. A. R. Thorne, recommended thiit the follow-ing-up system should be such that wherever the patient went the records should accompany the patient. It was resolved that such a system be adopted and that the other centres be asked, through the Department of Health, to co-operate therein. Dr. Thorne raised the question of granting pensions to tuberculosis patients, with a view to overcoming the present delay occasioned by patients putting off treatment owing to inability to maintain dependants.

It was resolved that the superintendent write to Australia and obtain copies of the legislation at present in force in connection with pensions to those suffering from tuberculosis