NATIONAL HEALTH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23339, 6 May 1939, Page 16

NATIONAL HEALTH

DOCTOR'S CRITICISM STATE CONTROL FAVOURED "Nothing less than straight out State control will give New Zealand a proper medical system," said Dr. G. M. Smith, of JRawene, in an address last night to the Workers' Educational Association on "A national health service for New Zealand." He said the present method of applying medical knowledge was highly inefficient, and specialists should become salaried officials to staff hospitals and clinics, according to the method of the London County Council, which had proved highly successful. "The attitude of the leaders of the British Medical Association to the maternity service suggested by the Government is, in my opinion, unreasonable," Dr. Smith said. "The doctors have a perfect right-to bargain, but in refusing to accept service they are wrong. 1 can assure you there is very little difference of opinion among those of us who are interested in scientific medicine. Modern medicine can best be administered scientifically by means of a whole-time salaried stall < the staff to be specialists; the use of clinics, which should be the health centres of the area; and adopting the principle of individual responsibility;"