Country Doctors
Sir,—Today the fact that Hawarden is without a doctor has been brought to public notice in the press. The lack of doctors willing to enter country practice is only now being realised locally, but is not uncommon in New Zealand. Country people expect a single doctor to provide a 24-hour service, but don’t realise that at the present time country general practice has little to offer in comparison with cities—high expenses, no locums, no completely free time, etc. The answer does not rest with the Health Department, hospital boards or 8.M.A., none of whom has the power to direct doctors to vacated practices. The Government is not unaware of this problem, as suggested remedies were contained in the Availability and Distribution Report presented in 1963. The rural populations must urge the Government to acknowledge the existing problem and act immediately if this trend is to be halted.—Yours, etc, BRIAN HEYWARD. Cheviot, July 15, 1966.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31115, 19 July 1966, Page 16
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156Country Doctors Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31115, 19 July 1966, Page 16
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