LODGES AND DOCTORS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2814, 4 July 1916, Page 7

LODGES AND DOCTORS

PRESENT POSITION SOCIETIES MEETING THE SITUATION. The position regarding the lodges and tho doctors remains unaltered: the deadlock continues. The doctors have, named a figure at which they will attend to lodge patients, but the lodges have not- increased their fees to the amount asked by the profession. Where the doctors have asked for 215., they have only received offers of 155., "but they have bceii unofficially informed that it is probable that 20s. will ■bo paid. This the doctors cannot seo -their way to accept, as three lodges havo from the beginning of tho dispute paid the 215., and it is considered that it would be unfair to them to contract with others for less. The resignations of the doctors were aent in last August, 'ant! .they took effect from a-few months later.

Speaking yesterday regarding the situation, an official of-the British Medical Association expressed the opinion that "this fuss in Parliament is through fear that wo will, influence the doctors the lodges are bringing out not to join in,.or to' 'clear out.

As to the proposal that. the .present ■doctors might. be.'deprived of their' _rc'gistration, the' official said:. "We", can practice all the same, whether we are registered or not. The only effect would bo that we would have more liberty. As to the health officers being used to fight us/ well—they will have to siipfily tho honorary staffs for hospitals, and so. oil. Wo are in such' a strong "position that wo are not worrying iti the loast." ' As to tho lodges' side of the question, it is understood thai they havo no intention. of. increasing their- offer, and that they have.'made- certain arrangements for'.meeting the. situation. These arrangements, include the bringing-from oversea'of several doctors who will, undertake the/lodge work. '