THE MEDICAL PROFES= SION.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 869, 15 July 1910, Page 6

THE MEDICAL PROFES= SION.

SHOULD MEMBERS BE REGISTERED? DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER. Members of the New Zealand branc-li. of the British Medical Association wailed upon the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) yesterday to urge the passing of a Bill providing .solely for the compulsory registration of medical practitioners, in tho Dominion. The Hon. Dr. Collins said that it was the unanimous wish of tho profession throughout the Dominion that a Bill providing for the registration of medical practitioners should be passed. It was ilosired that the conditions in New Zealand in, this regard-should bu similar to tliciso in force in Great Britain and in •Australia. If there were registration on thoso lines it would mean that undesirable practitioners would not be enrolled. Under the existing system a practitioner who was struck off the roll in another country might commence practice in Now Zealand. Dr. Gibbs said that in the present Bill all debatable points had been omitted. Registration of medical practitioners was desirable in respect of the welfare of the public as well as the profession. In regard .to the registration of medical men New Zealand was backward, The only benefit the practitioners would gain would be better organisation. Under the present system the profession had no control ovfx its members. The Bill provided for the setting up nf a council of nine members, four of whom would be appointed by the. Governor-in-Couneil. It' also provided for a close scrutiny of a practitioner's qualifications, and the purging and revision of the roll. There would further be provisions to enable a medical man whose name was struck off the roll to apply through the Supremo Court for restoration of his name on the roll. Dr. Purdy also emphasised the necessity of the Act which, he said, would tend to safety and benefit the public as well as the profession.' . The Prime Minister said he was of opinion that legislation on the lines suggested was desirable. A proposal wliieh would ensure the protection'of tho public as well as the protection of medical practitioners entitled to be. registered seemed to him to be necessary in. these times. ' It was desirable that there should be a council to look into cases of practitioners who had been guilty of alleged infamous conduct. He would consider the clause which proposed . to give the right of appeal, for, iii his opinion, it should apply to existing as well as future cases. A proposal to strike a practitioner off the register should-bs subject to the approval of the Supreme Court. Under Clause 2i it was proposed that no uncertificated person should practise midwifery, It would have to be amended, for at present the law entitled holders of certain, certificates' to practise midwifery. In conclusion; Sir Joseph stated that' Cabinet would consider tho pl-o-pos;d measure, and advise the deputation of any amendments which it considered necessary. He would be glad to help the .measure forward.