HOSPITAL ENQUIRY.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 December 1924, Page 1

HOSPITAL ENQUIRY.

S.M ,’S RECO.M M EX RATIONS. WELLINGTON, December 17. Air Page, S.M., the Commission appointed to inquire into the'Bryce case at Palmerston North, has reported. In his finding he says: Looking at all the circumstances, I think Dr Barnett having accepted the appointment of honorary surgeon should not have declined to operate on a patient who was only admitted in accordance with the practice and policy of the BoaVd, and whom, in the ordinary course of hospital system, it fell to his lot to attend.

“Aliss Bryce,” continues the Commission, “was sent to the Palmerston Hospital primarily to test the principle which her father maintained. Dr Barnett was aware of this and his refusal to operate was dictated by his desire to vindicate the view held by himself and others of the honorary staff and on the important question of principle which Bryce’s action had raised. The practice of doctors in Palmerston, inehiiling the honorary medical staff, in discriminating according to a patient’s financial position between various patients seeking admission, is not desirable and should he discontinued. The hospitals are maintained out of local rates and general taxes, and the Commissioner thinks the hospitals should he open to everyone though, if accommodation is limited, the poor patient should have preference. Adequate fees, including a reasonable fee for operations, etc., sufficient to cover the whole cost of treatment, should he charged to those able to pay.” Ho recommends that fees he inrrcnseil to cover the full cost of maintenance and treatment of patients in public hospitals. Boards should retain power of remitting the whole or part of fees in case of any patient unable to pay. It is suggested that hospital hoards and the Department of Health should take into consideration the question of so extending the operations of public hospitals as adequately to serve all classes of the community. There was a tendency towards the establishment of private rooms and semiprivate wards in main hospitals. These could he made use of by patients willing to pav for them. A workable scheme, could the Commissioner thought, he gradually evolved whereby patients.in public hospitals could ho treated, if desired by their own private practitioners. If honorary medical staffs are to he continued, further provision might he made that for treatment or operation, nalients able to pay should pay to the physician or surgeon a. moderate fee in accordance with the agreed scale.