TIMARU HOSPITAL.

TREATMENT OF OUTPATIENTS.

To the Editor of the " Timaru Herald." Sir,—l read -with mueh interest the report of the last meeting of the Hospital Beard, especially the discussion regarding outpatients. The whole trouble arises through a large number ■ of the public recognising that' in Dr Unwin, the Board hare an officer of exceptional ability. To my knowledge many persons who endeavour to secure Dr Unwin's opinion, do so, not with a tic* of obtaining cheap advice, but with a desire to obtain, what in their opinion is the best advice possible. Dr Unwin's reputation stands so high that many would willingly pay a large fee for his advice, and the Board would be public benefactors if they could see their way to allow Dr TJnwin.to take up cases at fees similar to those charged by other medical men.. Is it fair that any one should 1 be debarred from seeking the advice of any medical man in the town, whether connected with the Hospital or not? We are all ratepayers and indirectly we support the institution. Why then should any one able and willing to "pay be debarred "from seeking the advice which they consider best? Some of the members seem anxious to protect the medical fraternity, but do our medical friends hesitate to call in Dr Unwin for consultations in private cases? I am given to understand this is done, and a only goes to prove that the public estimate of Dr Unwin's abilities is well foundad. If the Board would allow their doctor to take any one as an outpatient, making those pay who are able to do so, I do not think the system would be much abused. Those who would abuse it do so now, and therefore the position would be no worse than it is at present. I am, etc., T . ~ . , RESIDENT. Tnnarn, 16th May. DR UNWIN'S OPINION. The views of the resident surgeon, Dr bnwin, on the treatment of out-patients bare never been made public, as his statements to the Hospital Board have been taken in committee. In connection with the above letter, however, the doctor was approached by a "Herald" representative, -who was under the impression that the work of the outpatient department hod increased so much, as to be an undue tax on the resident surgeon. Dr Unwin said said that was the case to a certain extent but as far as be was personally concerned he did not mind doing the work. He felt, however, that it was an injustice to the

members of the profession practising in Tiinaru, who gave their services gratuitously to the hospital, that the institution should be iised by people who were ni ai position to procure their own medical attendance. It was not fair to expect the outside doctors to assist the hospital by giving anaesthetics and in other ways, for nothing, and at-the same time to take from them their legitimate patients. His own feeling in the matter was not about the amount of work he was called upon to perform, but about the just treatment of the medical men whose services were readily given to the hospital. " It was not fair that they should be asked to be charitable to people who did mot require benevolence.