HOSPITAL CONTROL

Hokitika Guardian, 21 October 1931, Page 3

HOSPITAL CONTROL

POLICY OF BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, October 19. A reply to Dr. Valentine’s Eltliam address, in which lie expressed opposition to I)r. Begg’s scheme for medical men to take control of Hospital Boards, was made to-day by Dr. Begg, who said the charge that the medical profession was endeavouring to get control of the public hospitals had served from time to time as a political slogan by those who were more concerned with maintaining or securing popularity and votes than with strict adherence to'.facts. Tlioge who used it had suffered considerable discomfiture when asked to withdraw or substantiate their statements. “There are undoubtedly some, and among them my old friend Dr. Valintine, who sincerely believe that the profession is trying to get control of the hospitals,” said Dr. Begg. “A common variant of the catch cry is ‘Save th,° hospital from the 8.M.A.,’ though why this unfortunate branch of a respectable medical socitey (some of the critics know that the initials stand for the British Medical Association) should be singled out for special opproKrium is difficult to discover. “While in most of the other Dominions and in other countries, medical organisations have taken a more active part than here in suggesting and framing a hospital policy, it has been left for New Zealand to raise and foster antagonism - between the hospital controlling authorities and the medical organisations, which should be their most valuable advisers. So far as the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association is concerned, its policy in regard to hospitals, as affirmed in 1925, left the control of hospitals entirely in the hands of lay authorities. In fact, it proposed no alteration in this respect.”