FEES FOR DOCTORS

Southland Times, Issue 21093, 27 May 1930, Page 11

FEES FOR DOCTORS

CANCER NOTIFICATIONS. QUESTION OF ETIQUETTE. A proposal to pay British doctors for notifying cases of cancer was rejected recently by a committee of the House of Commons.

The Cardiff Corporation sought power to pay to any doctor 2/6 for the notification of a case of cancer in private practice, and 1/to a doctor in public practice. l Dr R. F. M. Picken, medical officer of health for Cardiff, said that the corporation had been frying to fight the rising mortality rate of cancer. “Early treatment,” he added "is essential to possible cure. There has been in Cardiff for some time a system by which cases are notified, and also some details as to the housing conditions and the mode of life. When a case is notified assistance is afforded in getting the patient to hospital.” Captain R. R. Henderson, a member of the committee: What about the breach of confidence? Suppose I had the misfortune to develop cancer, it would be most repugnant to myself and my family if I found that my medical adviser had, without my permission, given information to the local authority. Mr Cape, the chairman. If any good can come to the patient, it is different. Mr Beveridge, counsel for the corporation: The sum total of the knowledge gained might do a great deal of good. Captain Henderson: This is a fee or bribe to a medical practitioner to divulge the illnesses from which his patients are suffering. Mr J. H- Palin: Surely not for half-a-crown ? Captain Henderson: It is contrary to the etiquette of the profession. Dr Picken: This clause giving the power does not lay any duty on the patient or practitioner. Mr Cape: Anything we can do to help research work in .cancer should be done. Mr Palin: If a person has smallpox it is notified. This would be beneficial to the community. Captain Henderson: I fail to see why patients in poor circumstances should not be treated with the same consideration as those better off. --Mr Palin: We are talking a lot of nonsense. Many diseases are notifiable by law. The committee, however, after long consideration, decided not to pass the clause.