FOR THE POOR

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1129, 17 May 1911, Page 6

FOR THE POOR

0 OUTDOOR MEDICAL RELIEF. INTERESTING REPORT. TENTATIVE SCHEME SUGGESTED. Some time ago Dij. Elliott, Dr. M'Lean, and Dr. M'Gavin waited as a deputation from the Wellington Branch ot the Medical Association upon tho Charitable Aid Committee of the Wellington Hospital Board with reference to tho question of an outdoor relief service to indigent persons. Subsequently, a .sub-committee, consisting of the chairman of the Charitable Aid Committee (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan). Miss Richmond, tho Kev. W. A. Evans, and Messrs. D. Robertson and J. Smith, conferred with representatives of the Medical Association in further reference to the question, and tho result of the conference was tho following report by the sub-committee, which was tabled at tho monthly meeting of the Hospital Board, which was held yesterday. Promiscuous Charity. "From (ho statements made by tlio representatives of tho Medical Association, it would appear that," stated tho committee, "that (hero is a numerous class of persons who aro in such poor and precarious circumstances that they aro totally unable to make prorision against sickness by means of friendly societies, or any other of the ordinary provident methods—persons who, in case of necessity in other respects, would apply for and would receive from the Charitable Aid Board assistance in the shape of food or rent subsidies. Further, it was represented that in tho absence ot any recognised system of public medical relief, such persons apply in case of sickness to the nearest doctor, who generally attends them, without any hope or expectation of payment, with tho result that members of tho medical profession aro performing privately and in haphazard and unequal degrees what in other countries and places is a well-re-cognised function of the charitable aid authority, and in effect sustaining a pecuniary charge which is elsewhere admittedly a legitimate one upon tho national and municipal fund." A Big Problem. "The initial difliculty encountered was to make somo clear definition of the. class of persons to whom it was suggested by the Medical Association that medical relief should be extended, and to ascertain tho probable numbers of such recipients. Unfortunately, the representatives of the Medical Association were not able to give any very definite suggestion or information on cither of these points. The sub-committee, admitting that outdoor medical relief to indigent persons is a legitimate function of a Hosnital and Charitable AM Board, is of opinion that the matter calls for present consideration, and that, inasmuch as the provision et such assistance will involve m careful ami strict inquiry into the pecuniary circumstances of tho recipients as any other form of charitable relief, it is an object proper to tlio Charitable Aid Committee ol tho Board which possesses and controls, under tho Board, Iho necewary machinery. However, the whole subject ot medical outdoor relief is one of such magnitude and importance as to deserve and to require to bo treated ultimately roin a universal rather than from a local point of view, so that somo svstcm may be laid down which shall onerato uniformly throughout the Dominion Ihe question,is likely to be considered at tlio tortlicoming conference, and H. O In-spector-General, Dr. Valintine, mav'probably have some suggestions to make In the meantime, necessary and reliable data " iStMt moy

Suggested Tentative System. Tho report of the sub-commitleo concluded with a suggestion that a tentative ar .m, ngc , m P nt ]ni Gnt be made as follows:•that for a period of three months, commencing from, say, June 1, it bo agreed the board and all general practitioners (the city and suburbs being members ol the British Medical Association), (hat in case of their being applied o for medical aid by any person who they consider properly belongs to tho indigent classes, the board will pay for attendance ou the following conditions — (a) That within 12 hours of attending tho case, and except in cases of absolute urgency beforo a second visit is made tho case bo reported to the Charitable Aid ,?A mi H ce lllrou Sli its appointed officer. (b) That such information ,as may be required by the committee respecting the cases shall be furnished in such manner as may bo agreed upon. "(c) That no further liability for payment for services beyond such first visit shall be upon the board, except upon a written order signed by tho Charitablo Aid officer, given after a visit and inquiry into the pecuniary circumstances of the case has shown to his satisfaction that tho patient is au indigent person, as the term is usually interpreted by tho Charitable Aid Committee and its officers.

"That such orders may be for definite or indefinite visits or periods, but any indefinite order may be terminated at anytime at tho discretion of tho Charitable Aid Committee.

"That the fees to be paid for such medical service shall be generally one-half of tho ordinary rates, and particularly that Ihe feo for cases which involve no severe surgical treatment shall be:—From S a.m. to 8 ii.m., five shillings per visit; from S p.m. to 8 a.m., ten shillings per visit. "That obstetric cases are not to be subject to the above reduction (either general or particular). "That tho Clmritablo Aid Committee may at its discretion appoint a. medical referee to advise it upon any medical points upon which it may desire information.

"That all cases as above be reported to the Charitable Aid Committee at its next, ensuing meeting, when the committee shall consider thorn and give its decision as to the granting of further medical relief. The Charitable Aid Committee shall'make from time (o time such regulations as it may deem necessary for the proper performance, regulation," and safeguarding of the outdoor medical relief service, and cause the fullest possibla records to bo kept of each ea«e assisted. At the end of the three months specified the board is to be furnished with a full renort of the results, and shall then decide as to its future action."

The above report was circulated amongst the members of the board, and' will be considered at the next monthly meeting.