HEALTH SERVICE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 57, 4 September 1937, Page 10

HEALTH SERVICE

DRASTIC REFORMER

RESULTS THE FIRST AIM

ALL UNDER THE STATE

(By Telegraph—Presss Association.)

AUCKLAND, This Day

• Stating that the present medical services to the people of the Dominion are totally inadequate, Dr. G. M. Smith, medical superintendent, of the Rawene Hospital, North Auckland, made frank criticism to members of the W.E.A. last evening of the existing system. An inherent fault, he said, was the relationship between doctor and patient. There was the possibility of the doctor thinking more of- his financial return than the health of the patient. He made a plea for economic security for the medical^ profession and suggested that the profession in exchange for that economic security should give their services to the Government and submit them to audit. The profession should exercise on its members a discipline which would demand results.

"If it fails there is nothing else for it "but turning medical men into Government officials,1' he said.

Dr. Smith spoke of the administrative aspect of a health scheme. He suggested the appointment from overseas of a director of curative medicine and another of preventive medicine. Also, he advocated the development of a system of clinics in the outpatient departments of the public hospitals as well as complete nationalisation of the hospitals as a first step in. a health service..