CONTRACTS FOR DOCTORS

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22707, 11 May 1939, Page 12

CONTRACTS FOR DOCTORS

MATERNITY SERVICE TERMS AND CONDITIONS IN 21 CLAUSES PRACTITIONER MUST KEEP RECORDS

The actual maternity benefits contract which the medical practitioner is being asked to sign under the Social Security Act, and about which there has been such controversy, is a simple enough looking document. The form sets out in simple words and few figures the desire of the doctor to undertake the necessary services and their scope. But with each contract the doctor received Form Mat.B.l, a closely-printed document of four foolscap sides setting out detailed terms.

The contract proper is simply described as “Notice by medical practitioner of desire to provide medical services in relation to maternity benefits.” The doctor merely gives his name, address, and qualifications, and states his “desire to undertake the provision of medical services in relation to maternity benefits in the Health District upon the terms and conditions ior the time being fixed by the Minister for Health, and for this purpose I hereby accept service in accordance with those terms and conditions.” Particulars of surgery hours follow, with places of attendance, private or otherwise. The doctor must also indicate the area in which he undertakes to visit patients. But to this information is attached a note oi some significance stating: “It may bo necessary lor i,te Medical Officer of Health, pursuant to the terms and conditions of service, to require the practitioner to amend this application in respect to _ the surgery hours or in the area in which the practitioner undertakes to visit patients.” There is another note asking for the area to be specified as closely as possible. That is all the detail asked for in tire contl act. More Information But Form Mat.B 1 is much inoie formidable, city doctors emphasise. It is entitled: “Terms of contracts between the Minister for Health and medica practitioners with respect to medical services in relation to maternity benefits under the Social Security Act, ][)?>?> " 'liii-i schedule of terms and conditions runs to 24 clauses. The professional obligations of a doctor undtnlaking these contracts are, _ broad y. iliat lie must provide in relation to tne maternity benefits all necessary medical services including ante-natal ana post-natal aJv.ee, and “with respect m women who are not his patients, piovide all necessary medical services in relation to maternity benefits it summoned to attend any such woman in anv case of emergency. The “necessary medical services'’ include the administration of anaesthetics in cases where anaesthetics are required and me treatment of anv concurrent disease or injury that is in any way due to or connected with pregnancy or labour. Another clause in these regulations slates that, where any doctor under a contract of service engages the services of another doctor as a consultant, anaesthetist, or medical assistant iwhether the latter is under a contract himself or noli, no payment shall be made out of tin; Social Security Inina fur those services.

Doctor’s Duty

The doctor must undertake ns a duly 1.0 be in attendance for the treatment of patients as those specified in his iorm of contract, and where the condition of the patient requires it to cLil and treat that patient within the area specified in his acceptance of the contract; in any case of emergency, where he is the nearest available doctor he must visit and treat any woman inut being one of his patients) requiring treatment, whether within the specified area or not. Where a doctor declines to engage himself to provide medical services for any woman he mu«t under the terms of the contract, give ’at least seven days’ notice of his intention to the Medical Ollicer ot Health. ' . t . Another important requirement is that under the regulations a doctor must keep and furnish records of the clinical history of his patients and the Treatment given them ‘‘in such form as the Minister may from time to time determine.”

"Must Clive Details”

Everv doctor who has entered imo a contract of service must on notice afford the Medical Officer of Health or his appointee access at all reasonable limes lo the doctor’s surgery where the records of cases arc kept, lor inspection purposes, and must furnish the officer or his appointee any necessary information required. He must undertake to answer any inquiries of the Medical Ollicer of Health about any prescription or certificate issued by him. or about any reports made. Where a medical practitioner is unable to give his services in accordance with the contract, he must make all necessary arrangements for securing the treatment of his patients by some other doctor, who will be described as a “deputy.” Where the arrangement is for more than seven days, notice must be given to the Medical Officer of Health! The deputy must be qualified and entitled to enter a contract of service. Fees for Doetors A doctor wishing to alter the terms of his contract must be to give three months’ notice. The fees payable in the regulations have already been published. In addition to these, however, the doctors are offered mileage fees, to be paid out of the Social Security Fund for any special visit to a patient who, owing to her health, is unable to go lo the doctor fur attendance. and is in need of urgent treatment, and for any necessary visit to a patient during confinement. At the end of this schedule of doctors’ duties is a "penalties clause,” Any doctor, having entered into a contract of service in accordance with the act. who “wilfully fails or refuses to comply with the terms of the contract, will be liable to a penalty not exceeding £10.”