Health programme sought

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32430, 17 October 1970, Page 3

Health programme sought

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 16. New Zealand should pursue a more positive attitude towards preventive medicine and the maintenance of health by Spaying more attention to I such community problems as environmental pollution, improper diet, and the abuse of drugs, including alcohol and tobacco. i This was one of the submissions the Dominion

committee of the Royal Australian College of Physicians, represented by Dr G. F. Hall and Dr J. D. Bergin, to the Royal Commission on social security services this morning. 7 “The committee sees a need for a nationwide educational programme concerning fundamental aspects of physical and mental health in early childhood and in particular the importance of a satisfactory home environment in the prevention not only of juvenile delinquency but also of emotional stability in the adult,” Dr Hall said. Because of the College’s articles of association, it was able to make only a limited submission to the commission. Dr Hall said the College’s i Dominion committee supported the submission of the [Medical Association of New

Zealand specialists committee. The College was engaged in far-reaching plans for physician training and hospital accreditation aimed to ensure that in the future those physicians admitted to the college’s fellowship would have undergone an initial training programme in general medicine followed by at least three years training in a specialty of internal medicine. The ' Dominion committee also submitted that greater availability of referrals of patients to consultant physicians could save hospital admissions and bring about economies. The committee was in general agreement with the finding of the joint committee on medical graduate needs concerning the present and expected need for a larger number of physicians in many specialist fields in New Zealand.