CHILD CRIPPLES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22961, 12 February 1938, Page 15

CHILD CRIPPLES

WILSON HOME PATIENTS BENEFIT FROM TREATMENT SIX ALREADY DISCHARGED CONDITION OF ADMISSION Although the consensus of medical opinion suggested that it would be over-optimistic to, look for results in less than two years, the Auckland Hospital Board has, according to the chairman, the Rev. W. C. Wood, been "surprisingly gratified" by the fact that six of the patients in the Wilson Home for Crippled Children, Takapuna, have already been discharged. They are stated to have been materially benefited by tho specialised treatment that is provided.

"The results of the treatment have proved excellent," Mr. Wood stated yesterday. It was not claimed that the children who had been discharged had completely recovered but the distinct improvement shown in their condition warranted their leaving the home and returning to their families. Some would return to the home but, in all cases, directions had been given to the parents as to how to continue the treatments.

The condition governing the admission of patients from other districts of the Auckland Province, which was discussed at a meeting of tho Waikato Hospital Board this week, was commented upon by Mr. Wood. He said that if a child camo from an outside board, that board was required by law to make itself responsible for the costs incurred. In view of the Wilson Home charges, it was quite natural that these commitments should be viewed carefully by a contributing authority, and he realised that there might be hesitation in signing an unlimited undertaking. A request had been made for a six weeks' probationary perio/1 following admission, but it was considered that at least six months were required before satisfactory results in paralysis cases could be seen. He thought the Auckland board would accept the proposal of a six months' probationary period, a report upon the treatment and its results being then presented to the Waikato authorities. Any further contract could be determined by the results.