The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, MAY 8, 1930. HEALTH AND THE COMMUNITY.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 May 1930, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, MAY 8, 1930. HEALTH AND THE COMMUNITY.

'lhk British Medical Association has tiie general reputation of being a conservative body. But the scheme which • its Council has propounded for the coordination of medical services iii the Old Country, in such a manner as to supply the community with every means for the prevention or cure of disease, wears a distinctly bold and progressive aspect. The idea is, apparently, says am Exchange, that the scheme should he partially State' supported. ami that it should provide all ox ept institutional services by means

of a. national contributory insurance

arrangement on a compulsory basis. Institutional services would be on a separate footing, voluntary contributory schemes for hospitals are suggested, and it is urged that payment of all visiting staffs at hospitals is essential “sis in future hospitals will lie increasingly used, not only for the sick poor but by all classes.” In advancing this last contention the Council of tiio British Medical Association appears to he falling in broadly with the community hospital idea. Respecting the feasibility oT the scheme which has now been definitely put forward for discussion,—not, it may be taken for granted, without long and grave deliberation—it is diffi.uit to arrive at any useful judgment at the present time iipon the details thus far supplied. The proposals are ol course extremely interesting from more than one point of view. Health, using the term in a general sense which would include the means for the maintenance. of health, is a consideration of tne first national importance. Any movement that regards it from this point of view and is animated by a desire to ( co-ordinate the means whereby health may be promoted anci disease eliminated, so that the facilities for the public benefit may be tm= more readily and advantageously made available, rests sure.lv ,'On a commendable foundation. The means ,o health should nob, as is too often the case,- represent a commodity which people seek with reluctance or even refrain from seeding, because of the cost, or the fear of the cost, involved. What effect the scheme put forward by the Council of the British Medical Association might have, regarded from such a point of view, is not altogether apparent: Nor can an opinion he readily formed as to the attitude of the public towards such proposals, especially in relation to a national contributory insurance scheme. Much interest should, however, attach to the

•discussion of a scheme for a general medical service for the -nation, and desirable light will no doubt be thrown upon the advantages claimed for it and the whole question of . the practicability' of the proposals. In any case the Council of the British Medical Association has -courageously raised an issue of unusual interest, anc; one calculated no doubt to arouse attention and excite controversy. Its proposals, far-reaching as tney are, may doubtless be regarded as a sign of the times. Tile test of 'their merit should be the advantage to the community at large,