HEALTH SERVICES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 204, 28 August 1943, Page 4

HEALTH SERVICES

DOCTORS' PROPOSALS

GROUP PRACTICE SYSTEM

The controversy which preceded the introduction of the medical benefit system of the Social Security Act having died away, there is an impression that the fundamental purpose of that Act —the institution of a national health service—is within sight of achievement. What has been, in fact, achieved is something far less important, namely, a change in the method of paying for services. The organisation, on a national basis, of health services has probably been brought nearer, but has still to be achieved. How should this be done? Hitherto there has been a remarkable poverty of expression of the views and aspirations of the medical profession itself, to which the public has naturally looked for guidance on questions largely technical in nature. For this reason a booklet * which is the product of the study and discussion of a group of doctors —all, as happens, practising in Auckland —is of especial interest and should be assured of a welcome from the general public for which it is intended. Big Changes Needed In the main this is an explanation, admirably lucid, and an advocacy, of "group practice" as the basis of a national health organisation, of which the authors present an outline description. Both professional and administrative changes of considerable magnitude are proposed. Thus each of the medical centres would comprise not only a group of general practitioners, but also child welfare officers, the Plunket nurse and the school doctor. The specialists would be accommodated together in a large polyclinic at or near the base hospital. All would be controlled by a regional health board composed partly of elected lay members and partly of medical and nursing representatives. These regional boards, which would replace the hospital boards, would in turn be subject to the supreme national health board, on which they would have substantial representation. The advantages of this kind of organisation are discussed. The authors accept as inevitable a salaried medical service, although they would not have it compulsory. They strongly urge the need to transform the public hospitals so that their standard will be such that "all sections of the community, and the best doctors and other workers we can produce, will find complete satisfaction in them." Nevertheless, they would not discourage private 'hospitals. Medical Centres The booklet contains, in appendices, an outline of a system of medical centres for the Auckland metropolitan area and surrounding districts, a plan for medical services in North Auckland, a proposal for the development of Auckland Hospital, a scheme for the organised investigation and treatment of rheumatism, and suggestions about branches of medicine are, in New Zealand, much neglected. In sum, it is a stimulating, informed and constructive presentation of a com- , munity problem which needs for its solution a great deal more of the : same kind of discussion, and a great deal less of the polemical kind of dis- . cussion that it has had in recent years.

• "A National Health Service," by Alice Bush, J. McMurray Cole, E. F. Fowler, Elizabeth Hughes, Howard Gaudin, Selwyn Morris, Bruce Mackenzie, Douglas Robb.—Progressive Publishing Society.

Flight - Sergeant Ronald William Lornie, who has been reported killed on operations, was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Lornie, of 633, Remuera Road. FlightSergeant Lornie was a keen footballer and swimmer, and a member of the Richmond Yacht Club and the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. He was educated at the Meadowbank School and the Auckland Grammar School. He left New Zealand in January, 1942, and was flying Typhoon fighters in England.