MEDICAL SERVICES

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 July 1941, Page 5

MEDICAL SERVICES

PRESSURE ON.DOCTORS AUCKLAND, July 16. An announcement that stronger measures would be taken to obtain the services of doctors in social security benefits by a bill which has already been drafted was made by the Minister for Health (Mr. Nordmeyer) at a, meeting at Bayswater to-night. The statement was made in respohse to a question whether the. Government was prepared to conscript doctors.' “The draft of a bill is now ready, but it has not yet received consideration by the Government. In my opinion, it will give the people of this country the services which they have been expecting, and which they are entitled to,” said Mr. Nordmeyer. “The public is in the frame of mind to-day in which they are saying to the Government: ‘You have done everything possible to bring in the doctors voluntarily, and we aye behind you if you take stronger measures.’ . “If the Government introduces this bill in the House it will haVe the effect of giving the people that measure of medical care free to which they are entitled,” said Mr. Nordmeyer. He also announced the extension of the hospital benefits by regulations giving free X-ray treatment. The regulations would be considered by the Cabinet, and he anticipated that they would be ready for next week.' To overcome deficiencies in the pharmaceutical benefits, a list of proprietary drugs to be given free of charge would shortly be announced, said Mr. Nordmeyer. “The list will comprise proprietary medicines which we regard as of definite value, and which are not classified in the British pharmacepoeia,” he said. “They will be available to the public in the same way as other medicine.” FARMERS’ DISCUSSION WELLINGTON, July 16. A remit declaring that the union favoured a national medical scheme, sponsored by Auckland, was carried by the annual Dominion conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union today. Several delegates shared the view, expresed by Captain H. M. Rushworth (Auckland) that neither the Government’s scheme nor the British Medical Association’s scheme was satisfactory. Mr. Rushworth said there was a , much better way of meeting the position, and suggested that the Dominion executive investigate a scheme which had been outlined to the Auckland •' Union.

The following remit from South Taranaki was discussed: “That this conference of farmers, being concerned in defending the right of the individual to carry on his business without dictation from the State, and recognising that the socialising of one business or profession is only a step toward the socialising of all business and professions, assures the doctors of New Zealand of its support in resisting the introduction of any scheme which involves the wholesale socialisation of the profession.” Mr. W. A. Sheaf (South Taranaki) said that while most of the delegates might go to Mr. Nordmeyer for spiritual advice, none would go to him for medical advice. A big issue was raised in the matter of the enroachment of the State on the right of the individual to carry on his profession. The Government should be prepared to negotiate with the medical profession which was not prepared to have the Government’s scheme rammed down its throat. The medical profession was not going to be socialised to any greater extent than the farming industry was to-day, said Mr. A. E. Robinson (Auckland). If there was anything that should be socialised, perhaps before education, it was the health of the people. “There is no question about it, this is socialisation, and the medical men are taking exception to it,” said Mr. K. M. Baird (Golden Bay). “Why not let those men run their own job? They are trained to do it.” After further discusion, the question was referred to the Dominion executive.