THE T.B. CLINIC

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 58, 12 March 1929, Page 10

THE T.B. CLINIC

, (To the Editor.) Sir, —Hay I crave a little of your spac« for the purpose of .ventilating a grievance which at present' exists among those who aro attending the T.B. clinic at the Wellington Hospital? If you were to send a representative along on any Monday morning, he would invariably find anything from twenty to thirty patients, of all ages, men, women, and children, in practically every stage of the disease herded together in a small room that is really, only big enough to accommodate half a dozen. This is bad enough, but when one takes into consideration the fact that to examine a. patient thoroughly takes at least fifteen, minutes, and that all patients are instructed to. report at 9 a.m., it will be easily seen that some at least are compelled to wait four or five hours; in fact, I know that this is quite a common occurrence. Now,, sir, to anybody who knows anything at all about tuberculosis, it will be seen at once that this is a most undesirable Etate of affairs that should not be allowed to exist any longer than is 1 absolutely necessary. .

The' solution is not difficult; all that: > is necessary is for the Hospital Board to set aside two half-days a week for T.B. out-patients instead of.one as at present, and they will not only earn the gratitude of the T.B.s, but the specialist will bo able to take a greater interest in each individual case. The board's reply to this will probably be that the -whole matter is a question, of finance/ but the answer to that is, "Prevention is better than * cure."' lively case attended to in the cany stages and successfully treated meana oiio less for lengthy treatment in a sanatorium.—l am, etc.,

RATEPAYER.

[The complaint made, by. "Ratepayer?' has been inquired into. The Hospital authorities state that this matter is at present receiving attention, and plans for overcoming the difficulties indicated will bo placed before the Hospital Board this month.]