Doctors Will Advise Minister Of Dangers Of... (Press, 16 May 1985)

On 16 May 1985, the Medical Association expressed its concerns regarding the deadly disease A.I.D.S. and at-risk populations to the Minister of Health, Dr Bassett. The association's council voted to ensure that Dr Bassett was informed of the medical implications related to A.I.D.S., especially following a proposal from Hamilton surgeon Mr Geoffrey Winne-Jones. He called for the association's support in opposing the Homosexual Law Reform Bill, arguing that its passage could potentially lead to an A.I.D.S. epidemic. Winne-Jones urged the association to present the medical facts of the disease to the select committee reviewing the bill. The retiring chairman of the Medical Association, Dr Dean Williams, noted that a vote on Winne-Jones's proposal was not feasible as submissions on the bill had already closed. Nonetheless, he implied that the medical community was increasingly concerned about A.I.D.S. as it posed significant health risks. One major worry was that nurses, due to the risk of needle-stick injuries, were classified as an at-risk group for the disease. The information shared with Dr Bassett was intended to encompass knowledge about A.I.D.S. and the various at-risk demographics, including nurses, doctors, dentists, homosexuals, and others. Dr Williams emphasised the concern that A.I.D.S. could spread throughout society, stating that the primary goal of educating Dr Bassett was to increase awareness among the public. Moreover, the Medical Association demanded prompt government action to address deficiencies in public healthcare services. They highlighted issues such as excessive workloads for resident medical officers, a shortage of nursing staff, and insufficient funding for necessary medical equipment. Dr Williams pointed out the adverse effects these issues had on patient care quality, which was set to decline as resident medical staff were forced to work long hours. The council expressed solidarity with the doctors seeking to rectify these problems. Noting the national shortage of nurses, Dr Williams further remarked that while the government could allocate an additional $90 million for defence spending, it should also be willing to address the funding shortfall impacting health services once justified.

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