TUBERCULOSIS TREATMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 5 December 1929, Page 4

TUBERCULOSIS TREATMENT

NELSON JOINS NORTH CANTERBURY GROUP DECISION BY HOSPITAL BOARD In an effort to provide more effective treatment for tuberculosis patients in a central sanatorium, the Nelson Hospital Board yesterday decided in favour of joining the North Canterbury group under a new group system which has been organised to present a more united face to the disease. Last month the chairman of the Board, Mr F. W- 0. Smith, represented Nelson at a conference in Christchurch, at which the North Canterbury, Nelson,, Wairau and Picton, Grey, Buller, Westland and Inangahua Hospital Boards, which comprise the group, were represented. The conference had decided in favour of the scheme, and circulars containing a report of proceedings had been issued.

When members of the Board met yesI terday, they were unanimously prepari ed, in the interests of the Board and 1 patients, to join the scheme. I The conditions under which the new system will work comprise the following: (1) That the present buildings used for the purpose, or any buildings that may be erected will remain vested in the North Canterbury Board. (2) That patients will be received providing there is accommodation. (3) That boards sending patients shall reimburse the North Canterbury Board with the actual cost of the patient's maintenance and treatment and also pay interest at a rate to be deteiinined on the capital value of the land j and institutions used for the purpose. (4) : Any new capital value shalp be undertaken by the North Canterbury Board, : and the boards sending patients shall pay interest on such new capital expenditure at a rate in proportion to the number of patients sent. (5) That the expenses of the inspecting tuberculosis officer shall be borne proportionately. (6) That a controlling management committee be set up, each contracting body to appoint a member or members, and (7) that the agreement will be binding for 10 years from Ist April, 1930. Mr Smith said the conference had been unanimously in favour of the scheme. If Nelson did not join the Board would have to build a sanatorium to provide for its own patients. The chairman said the scheme had commended itself to him. Mr J. G. Page said that the Board had for years been looking for better means of dealing with the disease, and he considered the scheme opportune. He moved that the Board enter the agreement. Mr B. F. Spiers seconded the motion. He said that the new arrangement would overcome a difficulty for the Nelson Board, and would provide better treatment than a small place could. Mr 11. Tunnicliff remarked that it was a very satisfactory arrangement, and considered the Board would be wise to lurk up with the scheme. The motion was carried unanimously.