HEALTH OF THE NEEDY.

Taihape Daily Times, 19 August 1919, Page 3

HEALTH OF THE NEEDY.

PROVIDING MEDICAL 'AID_ SUBSIDISED SERVICES. DR VALINTINE’S SCHEME. HAMILTON, Aug. 15. U A statement. that the time had arrived when hospital boards should exitend the”lr scope and establish medical iservices for the needy in their dis,tl'iCts Was made in a letter from Dr IT. H. A. Valintine, received by the iwaikato Hospital Bbm-(1 to..day, Dr, Valilltille Said the epidemic showed the need for a clinical medical service associated With the Public Health De;partment. Further nothing could be idone with regard to preventable diseases until such a service was assoCiated with the Department. Patients Were admitted to hospitals suffering from diseases which could have been ‘prevented by a timely warning from a .dCctor, and with such. a service this learning could be given. Dr Valiutine pointed out that hospital boards had the power to establish such a service. It was suggested that at first doctors should be attached to the hospitals as assistant surgeons and gradually to extend the scheme. The primary object was to provide a medical service ‘for those unable to pay the ordinary fees. It was estimated that the cost would not be great, and the Minister would subsidise it on a I}oL.mi intended to put the hospital practitioners into competition with the medical profession, but to utilise the service as a means of conserving the public health by providing advice and treat.ment for those who otherwise would not obtain them. Dr Valintine asked the board to consider the proposal Mr Campbell Johnston considered‘ the expense of retaining a large staff 0;" doctors would kill such a scheme. Mr G. Dickinson thought it would be better to subsidise all doctors. The matter was rei-‘errrd to a committee for a report.