VENEREAL -HOSPITAL

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10542, 19 March 1920, Page 5

VENEREAL -HOSPITAL

AUCKLAND PROPOSAL DR 3IAKGILL AND AN INDIGNANT BOARD. Plans for a building for use as a venereal diseases clinic -wore recently submitted by the Auckland Hospital Board to the Public Health Department for approval, and the board suggested that Government assistance should be given to establish the institution. Last evening a letter was received from the aeting-mspectolvgenc-ral of hospitals. Dr It. H. Alakgill, expressing disapproval of the plans. DR AIAKGILL’S VIEWS. Dr Makgill -wrote that while ho recognised more accommodation would be needed, he did not understand why this class''6f‘‘disease"iliculd'tc singled out as being a matter for national control. A hospital board was created for the purpose of dealing with any diseases' arising in its district, and he was not aivaro of any sound arguments in favour of classifying diseases as "being gome for which theTfolpithr Board must make provision,- aiid some with which the department must deal. It would seem more natural for one body to deal with all diseases. He did not there! ore propose to ask the Minister to a uthor ise “the erection of any hospital buildings wholly at the expense. of the Consolidated 'Fum.

After criticising the plans submitted by the board, Dr Makgill continued:— “As an alternative to any building for the veneysjijU,disease. clinic-,., just now,' when material is expensive and labour scarce, I would. suggest to' the board that negotiations . should bo entered into with the City Council for the continued use., of the building in the Domain now in use as a military annexe, which, will shortly be vacated in part 'at _ least by. the .Defence, authorities. This building is fitted up with an excellent out-patient department, and*might well be used as a male venereal disease clinic, -and a portion small cost, be set aside for male inpatients.** ’ _ AX ijvDIGNANT BOARD.

Indignation was' expressed ’by ! mem- s bera, of the h'dapd,* ahdby dhd'cMiman,' Mr W. Wallace, that such a suggestion should made by Dr Makgill. As to the responsibility for the care of venereal disease cases, Mr Wallace said a large proportion were returned soldiers, and as-such the . Government was responsible . for their health until they were discharged fit. It was decided to reply, in termsto Dr Makgill and to'inform him that the board had no intention of applying to the City Council for the use of the military hospital in- the Domain for the purpose suggested.