EPIDEMIC ACCOUNTS
DELAY IN SETTLEMENT CASE OF EASTBOURNE COMMITTEE MANY LETTERS-NO MONEY
Apparently the Public Health Department has been slow in settling accounts in connection with the epidemic. The work of fighting the sickness was given over to tho local bodies, but the understanding was that the (.iovernment would foot all bills. The local bodies have had great difficulties in setting accounts settled, Following is a statement of the experiences of the Eastbourne Committee. and it is understood that the experiences of this committee are not singular:— Oil November 18 last, at a public meeting held at Eastbourne, a representative committee was elected to deal with matters arising out. of tho epidemic. A supply of disinfectants and medicine was obtained, and within twenty-four hours the hospital was equipped and in use. The Borough Council, pending a definite arrangement with the Minister of Public Health, agreed to indemnify the committee in regard to the cost of lighting the disease. Statements appeared in tlie public Press that the cost would be Dorne by tile Government. Parliament expressed its opinion in this connection, and subsequently endorsed it by voting a sum of ,£200,000 on account for the purpose of meeting the eost involved, lip to the present date no settlement has been arrived at. The Public Health Department has been kept fully informed of the work carried on from time to time by means of detailed reports. It is particularly with reference to the fees duo toHlie medical attendant that it is hoped you will accord due publicity to this communication. Eastbourne is ill an exceptionally isolated position as regards medical aid, inasmuch as no resident medical practitioner is available. By extreme good fortune we came across Dr.- Faulke whilst lie was paying a flying visit to patients in the neighbourhood, and on pointing out to him the seriousness of our extremity, he consented to devote himself to our district and continuously work flay and night during the currency of the epidemic. . The following precis from correspondence speaks for itself, and is submitted for publication with no wish to embarrass the Department involved, but to pave the way for immediate settlement. From all appearances, and also from the Hon. Minister's own statement, there is every possibility of a recurrence of the trouble, and it will be quite impossible to grapple with the position unless the medical profession is safeguarded from an unseemly repetition oi' the 'present impasse with regard to their remuneration. It may bo mentioned that owing to the restricted ferry sot vice due to the ravages of the disease, Dr. Faulke travelled in his own car over 1000 miles, not including local runs in volunteered cars. Iill8: November 21.—Full report supplied to Chief Health Officer as to establishment of emergency hospital, engagement of Dr. Faulke, nurses, etc., 1 and asking for confirmation of verbal promise to consider Eastbourne oil same basis as other emergency hospitals. .November 21—Reply from Dr. Valintine confirming approval, and requesting inclusion of Day's Hay. November 25.—Committee's representative reported interview with Major M'Cristell re supplies, also that expenditure would uiiiiualely be borne by Health Department. November 27.—Public Health Department'written to, asjeing for confirmation of Major M'Cristell'.s statement. December I!).—Letter from Secretary,
Public Health Department, acknowledging receipt, and stating Department will deal with Knstbourne Borough Council in the matter. December 7.—Dr. Faulke inquires about the posit ion regarding his account. December 2(l,—.further letter from Dr. Faulke on sumo subject". December 21.—Committee wrote Dr, Faulke, requesting accounts for all inlluenza eases be sent direct lo Public Health Department. 11111): January 3.—Dr. Fnulke wrote Chief .Health Officer enclosing copies of correspondence and list of patients attended, requesting an early reply as to payment of fees. January 10.—Dr. Yalintiiie requests the committee to say whether any direct payment had been made by tho committee or patients individually in the course of his work in the district, and inviting comments as to correctness or otherwise of the visits made. January IG.—Dr. Yalintiiie, to tho Mayor of Eastbourne, similar letter, asking for joint reply. January 23.—Dr. Faulke informed the Mayor of his proposal to send out accounts to patients individually. February <I.—Committee, jointly with the Mayor, wrote, in reply to Dr. Valintine's letter of January 10, saying it had no knowledge of any payments having been made to Dr. Fnulke, also dealing with the list of patients visited by Dr. Faulke. and stating the method adopted in notifying the doctor when his attendance was required for fresh patients. ■ February 10-13.—Two letters from Dr. Faulke reiterating his view. February 15.—Committee wrote Dr. Faulke regretting indefiniteness of his claim and informing him the Public Health Department was being written to to the elfeet that tho committee was agreed that certain remuneration named was recommended. February 17.—Dr; Faulke complains, inter alia, that he has recoived no acknowledgment of either of his letters to the Public Health Department. February 20.—Committee wrote to Chief Health Officer informing him of a definite sum which was recommended in settlement of the claim which Dr. Faulke was willing to ncccpt. February 25.—Dr. Faulke wrote tho Hon. Mr. Russell direct on the subject of remuneration, pointing cut that ho had received no replies to his letters to the Public Health .Department. February 25.—Dr. Fnulke sent copies of same to chairman who telephoned the Public Health Department and wos informed the matter would be settled in two days. March s.—Dr. Faulke presented his account for attendance at emergency hospital. March 7.—The chairman of tho committee telephoned to tho Hon. Minister and s|)oke to the private secretary, who asked for memo, as to the. position. Jin tiers having then reached a climax, the following telegram was addressed personally io the lion. Mr. Russell, dialed March 8:— "In reply to your verbal request of yesterday asking for memorandum .setting out the position re payment for medical practitioners while attending emergency hospital and outpatients at .Eastbourne and _ surrounding districts during the influenza epidemic in November and December. we have, already given your Department. full particulars of Dr. Faulke's services with our recommendation foi payment. Our reasons for doing this arc that we have no resident doctor on th\ eastern harbour side, also we had great difficulty in obtaining medical attendance at. the outset. Wo consider this business lias been delayed long enough for settlement, Our patience is exhausted a# well as tho doctor's. Dr. Faulke has now rendered his account for special hospital .'ittendance for tho epidemic period. and is rendering accounts to patients attended at our notification. Wc feel that the timo is now ripe when tin public, should know the position as om committee had tho assurance of tho Chiel Medical Officer of your Department tluil all reasonable expenditure would bo met bv your Department, and we have coil veyed this to the people. Tho only win we can clear ourselves is by publishins nil the facts. AVo would ask you to give this matter urgent attention as my com. lnittce consider they have done llieii sliaro to square this matter up, but fee! that your Department is lacking somewhere as no acknowledgment has beer received to letters sent in by Dr. Fnulke.' To which the Minister replied undei dale March 10:— "Your telegram Bth recoived. This i? flie first time the matter lias come be fore life. I made no verbal request t< you and have not been spoken to on tin flintier. The matter will be inquirer into.. (Sgd.) "G. W. RUSSELL. "Minister of Health."
Finally tho chairman dispatched the concluding telegram as follows, dated March 10:"lio emergency hospital, Eastlxnirnp. Surprised to hear that my telegram is the first information you have of tlio doctor's remuneration. Pleased to be able to let you know. Your secretary asked me for memo, to vou in your name, or led me to believe fj. Hope to .Jicar that your Department has Cuulo a settlement, soon."
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Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 152, 22 March 1919, Page 8
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1,309EPIDEMIC ACCOUNTS Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 152, 22 March 1919, Page 8
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