CONSUMPTION MENACE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18079, 2 May 1922, Page 8

CONSUMPTION MENACE.

DR. BLACKMORE'S APPEAL.

DEPARTMENT IN REPLY. [BY TEI^GRAPH. —OWN" CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON. Monday Tho statements made by Dr. Blackmore of Cbristehurch, regarding the want of facilities for the treatment of tuberculosis in New Zealand, wero recently brought under the notice of the Minister for Health, Hon. C. J. Parr, who called for a report on the subject from the head of the department.

In a memorandum the director»general of health points out that it is unfortunate, but no doubt unintentional, that Dr. Blackmore's report conveys a false impression concerning the facilities available in tho North Island so far as sanatorium facilities are concerned. The inference drawn from Dr. Blackmore's statement is that at the present time there are no sanatoria in commission in New Zealand except those controlled by the North Canterbury and Otago Hospital Boards. This, of course, is quite misleading, because there are two sanatoria in the North being administered by the Health Department, and the accommodation in each is available to all the hospital boards in the North Island. In the Pukeroa Sanatorium at Waipukurau there is accommodation for 175 men patients. Originally a military institution, it has been for some time under the adI ministration of the Health Department. ' The number of service patients is steadily j decieasing, so that the accommodation j available for civilians is steadily increasing. Every hospital board ins. the North Island knows that this sanatorium exists land that they can avail themselves of its j facilities. ; Then there \s the Otaki Sanatorium, where there are 40 beds available for women. This institution is also available for patients from North Island hospitals. Both these sanatoria are administered by medical officers who have had special experience and training in regard to tho treatment of tuberculosis. In addition to this provision special accommodation is provided by many of the hospital boards of the North Island, in regard to cases admitted for observation, with a view to determining their suitability ' for admission to a sanatorium or otherwise, and also in regard to cases in tho ultimate or penultimate stages of the disease. No fewer than six boards make good provision in this direction, Thoy are Auckland, Wellington, Napier, Hamilton, New Plymouth, and Palmerston North.

It is recognised that the establishment of clinics is a step that must be accomplished as early as possible at both Auckland and Wellington, and it is only the financial stringency and the necessary retrenchment of staff that has prevented steps from being taken. It is, of cqurse, recognised that once tho treatment of tuberculosis patients has been commenced the responsibility of the State cannot end when the patient 5s discharged from the sanatorium, and that facilities should exist whereby he can be kept in touch, either with a clinic or a nurse working under a district health officer.

In regard to the establishment of a MMifttorium in the South Island progress had admittedly been slow for two reasons —(1) the difficulty of getting a number of different hospital boards to agree to (i policy of co-ordinate action, and (2) the difficulties under which the country is placed at present from d, financial point of view. Tho urgency of the problem is. however, recognised, and it was recently decided to call a conference of boards interested, with a view to the adoption of eoncorted action. This conference will be held at Timaru about the end of the present month. The chief medical officers of the department and possibly ths Minister will attend it.

Mr. Parr added that he hoped thst as a result of this conference, a sanatorium would be established in a selected position in Central Otago to meet the needs of the South Island.