Lack Of Doctors In Country Areas

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31380, 27 May 1967, Page 17

Lack Of Doctors In Country Areas

It was not generally realised how close large areas in New Zealand were to being medical deserts with no medical services at all, wrote Dr. L. F. G. Austin, of Lincoln, in the May issue of the New Zealand Medical Journal.

“Already thia applies to a good part of Otago and Southland, and I believe, to Northland also,** he said.

“Many other country doeton would leave, but are unable to sell or even give away their practices, and stay on in order not to leave their district unserviced."

Today, he said, with the advent of Social Security, an assured income, the decline of ethics and the phenomenal increase in suburban population, it was easy and convenient for a doctor to put up his plate in a new suburb and be in full employment instantly.

Discussing how to attract doctors to work in the country, Dr. Austin stated: "The problem seems to me almost insoluble, but ways must be

found. \ “No workers will stay on our farms—still the basis of our economy—if they know there is no medical help availcble to themselves or their children in emergencies. The drift to the titles will become a flood.”

He suggested that for survival, doctors should group into twos and threes in a central township to serve their district, rather than be scattered in one-man areas. "Every village wants its own doctor, but some centralisation is essential,” Dr. Austin said. “Patients should be encouraged to visit the doetor, where possible, rather than vice-versa. “Car driving is not one of the most useful occupations for a doctor. Surgeries and equipment could be better in group practice." Unfortunately, some areas, from isolation and size of practice, could never support two doctors. He did not know how this could be overcome. County council or the Health Department should own surgeries, houses and basic equipment and rent them to doctors at a realistic rental. Thus no great capital outlay would be needed, and no loss sustained on leaving a country practice. This would be a great help in obtaining doctors. Dr. Austin also said an assured supply of locums so doctors could take regular annual holidays, or have relief when sick, would be a great morale booster. "If the country doctor could be paid an Increased rate for consultations, not for travelling, or be given an annual bonus, or tax remission—or otherwise have some monetary compensation for isolation and extra responsibility —it would help retain country practitioners, Dr. Austin said. The image of the country doctor as an amiable rather bumbling individual, strong on oil of Wintergreen and red flannel, but weak on antibiotics and steroids, needed refurbishing. Country practice had its own, often intangible advantages. There was no need for a sign at city exits saying, "abandon hope all ye who leave here.”