THE HEALTH SCHEME

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 90, 13 October 1938, Page 30

THE HEALTH SCHEME

(To tHe Editor.)

Sir,—ln these times of trial, stress, and tribulation, it does seem absurd that we Britishers should be fighting among ourselves—but I suppose it is "human nature." As far as I am concerned and the medical profession which I represent as one of its members, the only difference of opinion which I can see between the Social Security Act arid ourselves boils down to the , following: (1) The British scheme as applied in: England is a universal service embracing the specialist class and is of a purely voluntary '-■ nature with an income limit. (2) The New Zealand scheme is a general practitioner scheme without embracing the specialist class and is practically oh a model of the present friendly societies' methods, without the advantage offered by the friendly societies and at greater expense. As, far as I can follow that is the main difference of opinion. In other words, that, is all there is to it. —I am, etc., HUGHES STEELE, E.D., M.R.C.S. (Eng.), etc. •"*' '

(Toithe Editor.)

Sir,—Despite all 'Labour's assurances to the contrary, being married and having a baby or babies is not all plain sailing. Since having our first, and last if the present 'X Government carries on, my health has suffered considerably as a result of my having to help outside as well as cope with my household duties. Today I returned from one of New Zealand's largest public hospitals, in which I spent some time after a very necessary operation. 1 am very very glad to be away from the. atmosphere of pain and trouble and particularly from the incessant conversation among many convalescents about "My operations —past, present, and future." How many people realise that there are folk to whom hospital, -its "anaesthetic air," its chance to be waited upon, and its opportunity for limelight, are as meat and drink? With this new social security scheme, surely there will be demands for more, bigger, and better operations with, correspondingly large hospitals which will accommodate thousands instead of mere hundreds of these happy hunters!—l- am, etc

NATIONALIST MOTHER.