MEDICAL SERVICE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 196, 1 June 1938, Page 6

MEDICAL SERVICE.

VAST BRITISH PLAN. INCREASING THE SCOPE. LONDON, May IE There has been published as a supplement to the British Medical Journal a report on a scheme to extend the medical service provided undei National Health Insurance to an extra 18,000,000 oor 20,000,000 people and vastly to increase the scope of the service thus made available.. Every member of every family within an income limit of £250 would be included in the scheme. The services given would include, in addition to those of a family doctor freely chosen by the patient, those of every type of medical consultant and specialist, full dental and ophthalmic benefit and a complete maternity service based on the provision of a family doctor, a certified midwife and “home helps to relieve the mother of household caics during the lying-in period. Gynaecological help would also be available in complicated cases. Regional Basis for Hospitals, For many years the association has envisaged the evolution of a hospital system on a regional basis. In each region all the hospitals would be grouped around a central or base hospital, which would he one of the larger voluntary or council hospitals, either associated with a medical school or possessing outstanding advantages in regard to staff and equipment for undertaking the more specialised methods of treatment. Around such a base hospital or hospitals would he grouped all other hospitals in the area. Those, which would iinclude both special and cottage hospitals, would provide such services as were within their competence, patients being passed on where necessary to the central or base hospital. The services of such a region or area would be developed as an integrated whole, and a patient would be directed to one or other of the institutions according to the conditions from which he suffers and not because of individual prejudice or preference. It is probable that such a development would render necessary the absorption of some hospitals, particularly special hospitals, and the establishment oi others in order that the ergional institutional sendee may be economical and efficient as well as complete.

Patients to Choose Own Doctors. The basis of the whole scheme is that there should be for every individual a family doctor of his own choice. The necessity for free choice is emphasised on the score of confidence as between doctor and patient. The special importance of the family doctor may he summed up in the words “entry to the home.” Because of his intimate knowledge of the homes and lives of his patients, it is stated, “he lias unrivalled opportunities to advise on healthy living, to take into account domestic circumstances and environment, and to discover as early as possible when departures from the normal have occurred.” The doctor is his patient’s guide to all other forms of medical service, and liaison officer between them and him. As regards local government organisation, the chief proposals are:—(l) Bemovol of public health functions from all county district councils serving a population of less than 100,0(10 in tho case or urban areas and 75,000 for rural areas. (2) Establishment of a statutory committee in each public health area to which all questions relating to medical and allied services would bo referred. 01) Medical advisory committees in each area to maintain liaison between tho local doctors and the local authority.