THE PUBLIC HEALTH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2016, 16 August 1919, Page 3

THE PUBLIC HEALTH.

MINISTER’S NEW PROPOSALS. A circular letter was received by the District Hospital Board at its meeting on Thursday from the Department of Public Health, stating that in the past the energies of hospital hoards have in the main been confined to providing institutions for the accommodation and treatment of the sick, hut the Minister cnsidered (he time had now come Vhen the operations of hospital hoards could he extended, and that outdoor medical services ..could ho established-for the treatment of the sick in any part of the district. The •experience gained during the recent epidemic showed the necessity for a clinical medical service throughout the Dominion, associated with the Public Health Department, on which hospital hoards and the Department could rely in case of emergency. The circular referred to the necessity of something being done as regards preventable diseases, and pointed out that provision is made in the Act for (he establishment by hospital boards of outdoor medical and nursing services. An outside medical service would entail the appoint.nicnt by hospital boards of such medical officers as may be considered necessary for the control of a hospital district. It was suggested that these medical officers should in the first place be attached to the hospitals as assistant surgeons for out-patients, and that gradually the scheme could lie extended. The primary object was to provide a medical service for those persons who are not able to pay the ordinary fees for medical attendance, and who therefore lose health, to the detriment of the State. It was asked that the Board should carefully consider the proposal, and forward its views thereon.

On the motion of Dr. Whitaker, the circular was referred to the local branch of the British Medical Association with a rcfiuesr. for a report thereon.