DOCTORS’ EARNINGS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20013, 11 August 1939, Page 6

DOCTORS’ EARNINGS

DEFINITE RATE URGED GENERAL PRACTITIONERS LONDON, August 2. Dr. A. T. D. Topping, senior medical officer of the ■ London County Council, in a Speech to members of the British Medical Association, advocated a plan under which general practitioners would become identified with a general.medical scheme which would'give them a, definite salary. ' Dr. Topping pointed out that doctor.; generally knew less about medicine 10 years after qualifying than when they passed. Consequently, what should toe a hi.gh-souled profession was developing into a rather unethical trade 1 in ■ which doctors were vicing with each other in trying to get as many patients' as possible. This promoted a war between the soul and the pocket, and did! not benefit/ the, patient, because 'they .could not afford to say “I do not know what is wrong.” The specialist, he said, was essential, and facilities for calling in specialists must be extended. .Referring to Harley street, Dr. Topping commented caustically:—“lh .the' majority of cases a man aspiring to the dignity of '-a' consultant with" the caches of Harley street must be above the average in ability—unless; he is the son of wealthy and indulgent parents, or has married into affluence—and he must exercise spartan ‘.self-control,■ The yes-man, and the hospital chiefs who are hail-fel-low-well-mot with ‘their, students; can ensure progress arid popularity. The specialist must be developed, and must be made available economically.”