Dr. Alexander James, the controversial Wollongong asthma doctor, has broken off negotiations with the State Health Department to establish an asthma clinic in Wollongong.

Dr. James, 90 has been negotiating with the Health Department for more than a year for the establishment of the clinic at Wollongong Hospital.

Dr. James has successfully treated hundreds of asthma sufferers in the Wollongong district for 30 years, with special breathing exercises and vibrator therapy.

He does not use drugs in his treatment.

In January last year the State Minister for Health (Mr. Jago) visited Dr. James in his surgery.

After watching Dr. James in his surgery demonstrate his treatment, Mr. Jago advocated the establishment of a clinic at Wollongong Hospital specialising in the technique.

Mr. Jago said he was “tremendously impressed” with Dr. James’ Method, and said he was convinced that his technique had been “extremely beneficial” to asthma sufferers.

To date, neither the medical professional nor the State Health Department have officially recognised Dr. James’ methods.

Yesterday, Mr Jago said that Dr. James’ stipulations for the establishment of the clinic were incompatible with those of a special committee appointed by Mr. Jago to negotiate the setting-up of the clinic.

“At this stage, it appears an impasse has been reached between Dr. James and the committee”, he said.

The committee comprises representatives of Sydney University, University of N.S.W., the State Health Department, N.S.W. Branch of the AMA, and representatives of Wollongong Hospital.

The committee last year watched demonstrations of Dr. James’ treatment while assessing the potential of the technique.

Mr. Jago said that Dr. James disagreed with a five-point plan proposed by the Health Department on the establishment of the clinic.

The five-point plan consisted of:

· The setting-up of a clinic in accordance with the suggestion of the Minister.
· A medical officer being appointed to work under Dr. James’ direction.
· The selection of patients to be made by the hospital superintendent
· Each patient being treated by simple spirometry (measurement of breathing power).
· Follow-up visits at not more than three month intervals for a year after treatment.