MEDICAL CONGRESS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1233, 15 September 1911, Page 9

MEDICAL CONGRESS.

HOSPITALS AND PAYMENT OP ■ PATIENTS. . Preparations are almost complete for the ninth session of the Australasian Medical Congress,, which will be held at the University of Sydney from September 18 to September 23 (says thc.Sydiicy "JJailv Telegraph" of -September 9). Practitioners from.all the States- nnd-Now Zealand will' attend. .The congress..has been .-divided into the following twelve sections.-—Medi-cine, surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, anatomy, physiology and pharmacology, pathology, bacteriology and tropical - medicine, public health and Stats medicine ophthalmology, psycholofieal. medicine, and neurology, diseases of children, naval and military medicine and surgery, dermatology, radiology, and medical electricity, laryncology, rhinology, and otology. The.congress will bea most important gathering—the names associated with it assure that. Tho executive cornmil Ice has 53 members, and 21 members have be«n appointed to see to the reception and entertainment arrangements. Among the subjects on which special committees will report arc hospital abusa and contract practice. The forimr committee will ask Hie oongre&s to reaffirm:— "That in the opinion, of this -congress, no payment whatever should be taken from patients treated at hospitals maintained by the donations of the charitable and by Government grants.

"That, except in cases of accident or emergency, every patient • should, before being treated, .bo required to sign a-decla-ration of inability to pay for medical attendance, and that as far 'as 'possible all patients treatment should bring a recommendation from their own medical attendant, whether lodge or other. ' -

"That this congress affirms the foregoing resolutions as tho foundation of any real reform in tho present abuse of hospitals, and is of opinion that other hospital accommodation would extend naturally to the inclusion of. all those able to pay for medical or surgical treatment. "That this congress is of opinion that it would be a great gain to tho community if a board were established' to:— Administer the Government grant, classify hospitals, prevent overlapping .of .hospital work, insist on inquiry for the prevention of imposition, insist on the adoption of uniform methods of keeping accounts, clos? unnecessary hospitals,' prevent tho establishment of unnecessary hospitals, foster economy in hospital administration, promote the transfer of patients from ono class of hospital to another," Papers aro to be read on upwards of 101) subjects. The visitors and resident members will meet at a reception in tho University grounds on Saturday afternoon, and the following day special church services will bo held. During the sessions of the congress various forms of entertainment will bo provided.