NOTED MEDICAL MEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20628, 29 July 1930, Page 10

NOTED MEDICAL MEN.

VISITORS FROM AUSTRALIA.

VICTORIAN BUSH HOSPITALS.

LOW CHARGES TO PATIENTS

Several noted Australian doctors arrived by tho Niagara yesterday, en routo to Canada, whero they will attend tho annual conference of tho British Medical Association, which this year is to bo held in Winnipeg. They include Sir James Barrett, of Melbourne, who will represent the Federal Council of the association; Dr. N. D. ltoyle, whoso research in the surgery of tho sympathetic nervous system has earned him world-renown; and Dr. R. I?. Wade, of Sydney, specialist in diseases of children

Speaking of the remarkable growth of the hospital system promoted by the Victorian Bush Nursing Association, of which ho is honorary secretary, Sir James Barrett said patients were being given accommodation in the association's hospitals for £2 to £2 10s a week, compared with £3 12s to £5 charged at other hospitals. This wonderfully cheap service was made pos sihlo by a large membership paying annual subscriptions for tho upkeep of the institutions. Contributors were given the right to bo admitted at the low rate and make their own arrangements for their doctors; persons who were not subscribers were obliged to pay the rates ruling at other hospitals.

A Boon to Thousands. "The system works remarkably well and is a great boon to thousands of people in Victoria, especially country people," said Sir James. "Whereas the ordinary hospital only takes cognisance of people when they are ill, ours induce people to insure themselves against illness and so special concern is shown in the welfare of members even when they are well. By paying a small sum every year they are able to secure tlio best hospital accommodation it is possible to give at exceedingly low rates. "Wo now have 25 bush nursing hospitals in Victoria," said Sir James. "The 25th was opened tho clay before I left Melbourne and tho 26th will bo opened in about six weeks. Wo receive no financial assistance from the Governuieut, and do not want it, as our hospitals are selfsupporting." Tlio whole principle, ho added, was that the difference in revenue between the £2 which the contributor paid and the larger sum it actually cost to accommodate him when ill was made up by tho system of subscriptions.

As far as the medical staff was concerned all the doctors attending the hospitals were ex-officio members of the boards of management. The system was heartily approved by tho doctors and worked exceedingly well. Origin of the Movement.

Bush nursing homes were founded in 1911 by Lady Dudley, wife of Lord Dudley, then Governor-General of Australia. At first tho system was devoted entirely to nursing, but five years ago general hospitals were founded on the same principle, and had proved a pronounced success. Besides tho 25 hospitals in operation, there were now 44 nursing institutions.

A lecture on the bush nursing movement, in which consideration will be given to the application of the contributing system to all hospitals, will be given by Sir James at the conference.

Dr. Royle has been invited to explain to the conference his treatment for paralysis and a day has been set aside for a discussion of his paper by the orthopaedic section. As the method, which involves a major operation of the sympathetic nervous system, has not been introduced into England, it should prove of considerable interest to the delegates from Great Britain.

Among the New Zealand doctors who will attend the Winnipeg conference is Dr. William Todd, of Murcbison, who has retired from practice at the age of 76. lie is Known to many people in Waipu and Kaikohe, where ho practised for some years. At the conclusion of the conference ho intends to visit England and Scotland before returning to the Dominion.