Hospital posts not sought by G.P.s

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33454, 8 February 1974, Page 8

Hospital posts not sought by G.P.s

For a doctor to be a specialist in genera! practice as well as a specialist in some branch of hospital medicine was not possible, the medical superintendent of Christchurch Hospital (Dr R. A. Fairgray) told the first conference of the New Zealand College of General Practitioners this week.

[ Dr Fairgray, who was a ! general practitioner himself ■for 10 years, said the majority of hospital boards in New ; Zealand gave specialists priority over general practitioners when appointments were [made. As board members (were elected, this indicated | that the public approved of the scheme. I “When boards do advertise [ vacancies there is no flood of I applications from general I practitioners,” said Dr Fairjgray. “I suggest that the i majority of general practijtioners do not wish for hosjpital appointments.” Even if the concept of general practitioners having hospital appointments was acceptable the present salary structure would deter general practitioners from applying for such posts, said Dr Fairgray. He said experience in general practice was not considered relevant, and years in practice did not count for hospital superannuation. Hospital scales were determined by higher academic qualifications and years of experience in an appropriate specialty. General practitioners who transferred to hospital services were classed as

I medical officers on a special scale and not as specialists. ' “As a result general practitioners are required to accept ; salaries considerably lower ■than those in general pracItice,” said Dr Fairgray. 1 “If general practitioner registrar training schemes and refresher courses are to be effective and if general practitioners are to staff public hospitals then salary scales must be upgraded. “This conference should [urge the Medical Association Ito reconsider salary structures. In such negotiations I ■ hope that the College of Genleral Practitioners will have [the same status as the Royal College of Surgeons or the Royal College of Physicians. “In my opinion, understanding and good will between general practitioners and the hospital are more important than appointments to the hospital staff,” said Dr Fairgray.