PARLIAMENT ‘Beds In Public Hospitals For Urgent Cases’

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29901, 15 August 1962, Page 16

PARLIAMENT ‘Beds In Public Hospitals For Urgent Cases’

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 14. Urgent cases would be taken by public hospitals, the Minister of Social Security (Mr McKay) said in die House of Representatives today. “We must be guided by the medical profession,” Mr McKay said. The medical superintendent of a hospital would also examine a patient and admit him if he thought it was urgent.

Mr W. A. Hudson (Opposition, Mornington): The medical superintendent of a big hospital would not have the time. Mr McKay: He would be the one responsible.

Mr McKay was answering Opposition complaints that patients were being forced to attend private hospital? because there were no beds tor them in public hospitals

"This is not a new problem,” he said

The House was discussing the estimates for medical, hospitaL and other benefits under the Social Security Fund.

Mr N. E. Kirk 'Opposition. Lyttelton* said waiting lists at public hospitals obliged people to go to private hospitals for certain surgical and medical treatment.

“If a doctor tells you to go to hospital straight away, and you can’t get into a public hospital, you must go into a private hospital.” he said. “Then the bill arrives and nothing can be claimed from Social Security.

“It’s a major problem,” he said.

Miss M. B. Howard 'Opposition. Sydenham): It’s a racket.

Mr Kirk said specialists were called in at no charge to patients in public hospitals. Yet their attendance at private hospitals meant a “fat bill.”

One old pensioner had got a private hospital account for £132.

“These people need medical treatment.” he said. “They're an overflow from the public hospitals. Social Security should take up the slack. It’s not a new problem, but more people are affected.” Miss Howard called for stabilisation in doctors’ fees She said some doctors charged patients between 3s

and 15s on top of the 7s 6d Social Security payment. “Has the Government any scheme to stabilise the extra charge?" she asked. Mr McKay said no proposal was under consideration at present. "The Government has no control over what a doctor charges. That is a matter for the individual medical practitioner. If people are in need, and tell the doctor of it. there is normally no extra charge. But if extra is charged in a case of hardship the person can approach the department and it will be considered.” be said. Mr W A Fox (Opposition Miramar) expressed concern that the drug allocation in the estimates had risen to over £3 million.

He said the blame tor excess medicine tn cupboards should not rest with the patients, but with the doctors.

Patients could not be blamed for getting too many prescriptions or for getting expensive drugs when something cheaper would do. Shortage of Nurses

The Leader of the Opposition 'Mr Nash) asked for figures from public hospitals showing (1) the number of beds. (2) the number of occupied beds. (3) delays in accepting patients due to staff shortages.

Public hospitals should no* be only for urgent cases, said Mr Nash. “The treatment should be there for everyone. The inference is that if a case is not urgent, the patients can go to a private hospital.

"To what extent is the de-

lay due to a shortage of nurses?" Mr Nash asked. Mr P. G. Connolly (Opposition, Dunedin Central) asked Mr McKay to clarify his statement on who determined the urgency of cases for public hospitals. He gave details of a case admitted to a private hospital after the doctor concerned was unable to obtain a bed in a public hospital. The patient, discharged with a bill for £llB, later learned that his doctor was a shareholder in the private hospital to which he was admitted. Mr D. J. Riddiford (Government, Wellington Central) said that if private hospitals were restricted and eliminated there was a serious danger of the public hospital system breaking down. Patients’ Preference Mr A. H. Nordmeyer (Opposition, Island Bay) said there were people who preferred private hospitals, some because they thought they would get better treatment, but mainly because they could have a doctor of their choice. "They are prepared to pay their fees rather than to take the chance with a doctor in whom they do not have confidence,’’ he said. “These are the main reasons why private hospitals exist, and because of patients who can afford the expenditure involved.” As a result, successive Governments had assisted private hospitals. Mr Nordmeyer said it had been suggested doctors were taking advantage of the delays in people getting into public, hospitals. “But, in fairness, there is nothing to indicate that this evil is .widespread,“ he said “It is satisfying to have the Minister’s assurance that thedelays are down to a more reasonable level.” * Miss Howard said Christchurch Hospital would admit a patient without delay if a doctor said the case was urgent. Mr F Blanchfield 'Opposition, Westland) urged an extension of the dental scheme up to the age of 18 It would help parents keep children at school longer. Undertaking Given

Answering further questions Mr McKay said: “I will give an undertaking that any case where a person requiring treatment is forced into a private hospital will be investigated by the department.” Mr Kirk: If that .is what is meant by "forced,” we can easily give the Minister plenty of cases. Answering Mr N. J. King (Opposition, Waitemata), who complained that charges for drugs were made that people could ill afford, Mr McKay said that in case of hardship a prescription could be endorsed by the Health Department to make a drug available without charge. “The department seldom turns down a case.” he added.

Replying to a request by Mi J M. Deas (Opposition. Otahuhu) for more cooperation between the Health and Social Security departments to care for the aged. M.- McKay said there was a committee that had been established for a year in Auckland of Social Security and hospital board representatives.

“I hope that this scheme will be introduced in other cities This committee has been very valuable indeed.” he said.

'There should be a Government representative on every hospital board that spends money that the Government collects.” said Mr A. J Faulkner (Opposition. Roskill)

“Good health is one of the best economic investments that a coun’ry can have.” he said.