HEALTH DISTRICTS

Northern Advocate, 4 July 1928, Page 10

HEALTH DISTRICTS

SYSTEM TO BE EXTENDED. EAST COAST AREA DEFINED. (Per Press Association-—Copyright.) WELLINGTON, This Day. About two years ago something in the nature of an experiment was tried by the Health Department in opening a new district, office at New Plymouth, in charge of a medical officer with specified population in his district; the medical officer to be responsible Tor all phases of public health work within that area. The arrangements followed on the lines adopted with considerable success notably in Canada and other parts of the world.

It has now been decided to extend the system and during the next few weeks a similar office will be opened at Gisborne. Dr. Turbott, who hitherto has been located, in Auckland, will transfer to Gisborne as medical officer of health and schools' medical officer. The district, which will be known as the East "Coast district, is receiving consideration, states the Minister of Health, the Hon. J. A. Young, both on account of its isolation and on account of the fact that it contains a very large proportion of the Maori population of New Zealand.

The district will comprise an area, approximately, from Whakatane in tlio north to Wairoa in the south, including the intervening East Coast district. Dr Turbott in his capacity as schools’ medical officer, will undertake the medical examination of Maori school children, which work has not so far in the East Coast districts, been carried out in as systematic a manner as the department desired.