STATE AND DOCTORS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 117, 20 May 1939, Page 10

STATE AND DOCTORS

THE WRONG APPROACH

Regret that the Minister of Health (the Hon. P. Fraser) had delivered to the medical profession an ultimatum as to what the Government mi^tu "o if the present position were not altered concerning the Social Security Act was expressed by the chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board, Mr. Allan J. Moody, states the "New Zealand Herald." He said it seemed to him that the right angle of approach had not been adopted between the Health Department and the doctors. The Minister had stated at Christchurch that if the profession, under the leadership of the British Medical Association, was determined to persist in its opposition, the Government would have no option but to alter the whole basis of the service, and to proceed reluctantly and regretfully with! the establishment of a State medical service to administer the benefits of the Act. • THE HONORARY STAFF. "The Auckland Hospital Board, at the request of the Department, has entered into negotiations with the medical profession for the purpose of considering the staffing of the hospital." Mr. Moody said. "I feel confident that if the matter is not rushed, but is left to develop on proper lines, at least the Auckland Hospital will have no difficulty whatever in arranging with the honorary staff for the adequate staffing of the hospital and the care of the sick under the jurisdiction of the board. "My own experience with the doctors is that there has been no spirit of. dictation. In fact, ' th* Hospital Board would not be dictated to either by the doctors or/he Government. Up to the present the relations between the board and the honorary staff have been of the best, and I cannot see any reason whatever to interfere with such relations. STATE CONTROL OPPOSED. "Control of the' hospitals by the State would be disastrous, unworkable, and impossible. The system we have iii Auckland is proof that the success of the past will continue in the future. "I' = further contend that State-con-trolled institutions would lead to a decline in the standard of medical and surgical attention and skill," Mr. Moody continued. "The present incentive given to private practitioners must be maintained and fostered. In conclusion, I can only hope that pressure will not unreasonably be exerted on the doctors by the' Government, and I feel confident that, given reasonable consideration, the doctors will continue to give of their best, as in the past." ■