THE BRYCE CASE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 17 December 1924, Page 9

THE BRYCE CASE.

COMMISSION’S FINDINGS. DOOTOR, CRITICISED. ADMINISTRATION REVIEWED! (BY' TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 17. Mr. Page, S.M., the commissioner appointed to inquire into the Bryce case at Palmerston, has reported. In, his .findings he says: “Looking at all ’■he circumstances I think Dr. Barnett, having accepted the appointment of honorary surgeon, should not have .declined to operate on a patient who was duly admitted in accordance with the practice and policy of the board, and whom., in the course of hospital system fell to his lot to attend.’’ M iss Bryce, continues the Commissioner, was ssent to: Palmerston; hospital, primarily to assert or to test the principle which her father maintained 1 Burnett was aware of. This and his refusal to operate was dictated by his desire to vindicate the view: held by himself and by others of the* honorary staff on ah important question of principle, which Bryce’s action had' raised'. The practice of doctors in Palmerston, including the honorary medical staff, of indiscriminatising' according to a patient’s financial! position, between various patients seeking 'admission is not desirable and should. be discontinued. Hospitals are maintained Out of local rates and general taxes, and the Commissioner thinks hospitals should be open to everyone, though, if the acommodation is limited, the poorer patient should have preference. Adequate fees, including a reasonable fee for operations, etc., sufficient to cover, the whole cost of treatment, should be charged those able to pay. HO recommends that the fees be increased to cover the full cost of maintenance, and the treatment of- patients in public hospitals. Boards should retain the power of remitting the whole or part of the fees in the case of any patient unable to pay. It is suggested that hospital boards and the Department of Health take into consideration the important- question of so extending the operations of public hospitals as to adequately serve all classes of the community. There was a tendency towards the establishment of private rooms and semi-private w'ards in main hospital's. These could be made use of by patients willing to pay for them, A workable scheme could, the Commissioner thought, be gradually evolved whereby patients in public hospitals could be treated jf they desired by their .own private practitioners. If honorary medical staffs are to be continued further provision might be made that for treatment or operation a. patient able to pay should pay to. the nhysicien or the surgeon a moderate fee in accordance, with an. agreed scale.