SHORTAGE OF DOCTORS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16341, 12 October 1918, Page 9

SHORTAGE OF DOCTORS.

* ATTITUDE OF PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT. (SPEOIAL TO "THE PBES3.") WELLINGTON, October 11. In consequence of the shortage of doctors throughout New Zealand, and particularly in the country districts, the Minister of Public Health (the Hon. G. W. Russell) recently asked the Minister of Defence for information as to the number of medical men employed by the Defence Department in New Zealand and abroad. He has received figures that show the position clearly. Thq number of New Zealand medical practitioners at present employed with the forces aOrodd is 228. Of this number 10 are on hospital ship duty, and 8 are returning to New Zealand. There are approximately 16 New Zealand medical officers employed in the East. The number of modical men wholly employed by the Defence Department within the Dominion is 53. This makes a total of 281 medical men who have been taken from ordinary practice and given purely military duties. "The figures mean,'' said the Iffinister of Public Health to-day, "that practically one-third of the medical men who were actively engaged in their profession before tho war are now engaged in war duties. In the meantime there is a serious lack of modical men in many of the country districts, and the Health Department is frequently asked to provide doctors. Recently application has been made by the Defence Department for the vso of the services of medical men who are engaged as superintendents of hospitals.- The Health Department has felt impelled to oppose in every case the taking of nren engaged in this important civilian service. We have had to ask that in every instance where a medical officer employed in public scrvice is taken for military duty, the Defenco Department shall return another doctor in his place."