The Grey River Argus SATURDAY, December 7th, 1940 MEDICAL SERVICE

Grey River Argus, 7 December 1940, Page 4

The Grey River Argus SATURDAY, December 7th, 1940 MEDICAL SERVICE

After having., as an organisation, boycotted consistently the medical service which, outside of the hospitals, the Social Security Act is designed to afford as a counterpart of the free hospitaltreatment, the British Aledical Association spokesmen sa\' that it will continue the policy of non-co-operation towards the Government’s attempt at an adaptation of the scheme to the attitude of the. profession. The 831. A. Chairman classes the new departure as a further danger of degrading the profession, but guarantees as firm a boycott in future as that up to the present. With that assurance he is scarcely consistent in saying that at the same time the “whiteanting” of the BAFA, is the Government’s design, because the Government, from its lengthy endeavour to gain the co-operation of medical men in this connection, should have fully ascertained whether the new departure would be likelv to appeal to many doctors. If it should have' an appeal for a fair number, then the term, “white-anting” is inappropriate, not to say calculated as something of an insult to any but such as persevere with the boycott. Tn Parliament. Opposition members, ranging themselves with the 8A1.A., have echoed the “whiteant” cry, and contended that in the industrial sphere no Labour Union will stand for workers who do not stand by their own organisation. The question is whether the parity is a proper one. If an industrial organisation refuses permanently to comply with the laws relative to their' industry, not even the BALA, would come forward with a levy to back up their stand, whereas the State would possibly apply deregistration as a. remedy. The public, however, are in the position of a referee between the BAI.A. and the Government in the matter a.s it stands to-day. Previously the public had not had experience of the Social Security Act in operation. but the hospital treatment has now had time to be judged at its real value. It is doubtless with a sense of no little confidence that the Government awaits the eventual verdict. For one thing, no idea, of “white-anting” would have ever arisen in the minds of the BAF.A. leaders did they imagine the public would not make a determined effort to take advantage of the new departure, and seek mutual arrangements with their own doctors for treatment under the scheme, and also seek, in the event of individual refusals.

for contracts with other doctors. The medical profession is a great and an admirable one, in which the people repose very marked confidence, thanks to its generally high standard of ability and probity. Such a status has been gained by giving service. If, however, service is now refused on any terms except those dictated by the 8.M.A., in opposition to a project designed ‘entirely for the public weal, and nowise in a spirit inimical to the medical profession, the status of that profession will scarcely remain what it has hitherto been. In Britain the profession has not taken up the attitude of non-co-operation in similar circumstances, and that ought to- be a guide for its counterpart. in the Dominion. In any ease, the B.M.A. here has not framed a feasible alternative. Let ithe question, therefore, go now to the public. They are the main consideration. What they want will inevitably decide the issue.