HOSPITAL BOARDS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11224, 1 June 1922, Page 4

HOSPITAL BOARDS

CONFERENCE AT TIMARU. JOINT SANATORIUM URGED. TBB PRESS ASSOCIATION. TIMARU, May 31. The conference of hospital boards, convened by tho South .Canterbury boards to consider the question of securing a consumptive sanatorium for joint use, was opened this morning. The Rev. T. Wilson Potts, chairman of tho local board, presided. There is an excellent attendance, most of tho boards not at present possessing suitable accommodation for tubercular patients being represented. Dr. Valintino and Dr. Wylie represented the Health Department. The chairman placed before the conference a proposition that the various boards should co-operate for the purpose of acquiring premises at Waipiata, in Central Otago, at present owned and occupied by Dr. George Byres, and used as a hospital. In placing the proposition before the conference, the chairman dwelt at some length on expert) opinion that the climate of Central Otago was regarded by the medical profession as possessing unusual healthgiving properties in the matter of consumption. He said that the matter had been delayed far too long, and urged that there should be no longer delay. The proposition was debated at length, and various phases of the question were placed before the meeting. The delegates were unanimous that already there had been too much delay in dealing with the disease, which was making great headway, but which, under proper treatment, could be checked and'many lives saved. The conference affirmed the principle of the various boards 00-operating for the establishilient of a joint sanatorium, and is now discussing a proposal for the purchase of a site. Dr- Loughnan (Timaru) moved that the Waipiata site and premises should be acquired.