One Medical Service For Armed Forces Favoured

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30056, 14 February 1963, Page 12

One Medical Service For Armed Forces Favoured

(Neto Zealand Press Association)

DUNEDIN, February 13. A suggestion that the medical services in the armed forces be unified under one administration was made today by Mr J. M. Twhigg, a member of the council of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association. ,He was giving the memorial oration during the association's biennial conference at Dunedin. Unification would offer better career prospects, could lead to higher efficiency in both military and professional spheres, and more economical use of trained medical manpower. he said. It would also eliminate inter-service rivalries.

“It could be argued there are special problems in relation to naval and aviation medicine, but none of these is beyond the capacity of individual members of a profession which has a reputation for initiative and adaptability," said Mr Twhigg. "By the very nature of mod-

ern warfare every service medical officer should have field training and a knowledge of field medical operations, aviation medicine and shipboard duties," he said. Canada had already taken a positive step towards the creation of one medical unit for its services, and discussions on similar proposals had reopened in Britain.