HOSPITAL POLICY

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 169, 12 April 1930, Page 10

HOSPITAL POLICY

ROUND-TABLE CONFERENCE MEDICAL STAFFING Hospital policy in New Zealand, particularly the medical staffing of public hospitals, was recently discussed In Wellington by accredited representatives of the Hospital Boards Association, the New Zealand Branch of the British Medical Association, the New Zealand Branch of the Australasian College of Surgeons, and the Health Department. Certain resolutions were passed at the conference, and if these are given effect to changes in the present policy will be made. The conference was convened by the Minister of Health (Hon. A. J. Stallworthy) and presided over by the Director-General of Health (Dr. T. H. A, Valintine). It was the first of its kind to be held in the Dominion, and was really the Outcome of a desire expressed by the Hospital Boards’ Association at its annual meeting last year and by the British Medical Association at its annual conference early this year. At the Hospital Boards’ Conference in 1028 a deputation was received from the Australasian College of Surgeons on the subject of the medical staffing of hospitals, and the executive of the association was instructed to investigate the question generally and to confer with representatives of the medical profession. At that conference the opinion was expressed that hospitals had a definite duty in regard to post-graduate courses for medical men outside the hospitals for the sake of the health of the community. A hope was expressed that serious attention would be given to evolving a scheme of medical staffing which would secure the closest co-operation of the boards and the medical profession. In calling the present conference the Minister had the idea of a roundtable gathering at which frank discussion might take place on the questions that had arisen, in the hope that some definite working policy might be evolved which would be advantageous both to the sick community and others concerned. Conference Decisions. The official resolutions of the conference are as follow: — (1) That all members of the community requiring treatment in hospital be eligible for admission to public hospitals. (2) That patients in public hospitals who need, because of the nature of their illness, accommodation other than in the larger wards, shall be provided for by an adequate number of one to four-bedded wards. (3) That patients voluntarily availing themselves of such special accommodation shall pay the full cost of maintenance, including overhead expenses, provided that no distinction is made in the case of patients unable to pay. (4) That the medical attendance on patients be in the hands of a visiting staff- with the assistance of a requisite number of resident medical officers. (5) That each hospital board must determine the number of the visiting staff, but it be recommended that in arriving at a decision the board shall, consistent with the convenience and smooth running of the institution, appoint as many of the medical practitioners residing in the district as possible. (6) Subject to the approval of the board, that the right of attending their own patients admitted under resolution. 3 be extended to all practitioners except’ euch as may for special reasons be deemed unsuitable. (7) That in making appointments to the visiting staff and in determining the suitability or otherwise of practitioners for the privilege of attendance on patients, the hospital board should be guided by the advice of a special consultative body, or in the case of the smaller hospital districts by the advice of the DirectorGeneral of Health. (8) That such special consultative body comprise the consulting staff, if any, of the hospital, or in other cases should comprise the senior members of the medical profession of the district selected by the hospital board with the approval of the Director-General of Health. (9) Patients unable to pay the ordinary hospital fees shall be attended by the visiting medical staff in an honorary capacity. (10) Patients entering the hospital able to pay for medical attendance in addition to maintenance fees shall make their own terms with their medical attendant, who will be responsible for collection of bls own fees.