MEDICAL STAFF

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23425, 15 August 1939, Page 11

MEDICAL STAFF

PLAN FOR HOSPITALS SOCIAL SECURITY EFFECTS CONFERENCE SUGGESTIONS The suggestions of a conference of representatives of the British .Medical Association and of hospital boards on the methods of staffing the institutions under the social security scheme were received by the Auckland Hospital Hoard last night from the Hospital Boards' Association. It was stated that the meeting had expressed the opinion that it was desirable that all hospitals should he staffed on an open principle, utilising the services of as many as possible of the most highly qualified medical men in the district on a parttimo basis. The conference recommended the formation of medical appointments committees for the hospitals concerned, and a resolution was carried that each appointment to a visiting staff should be for a term of not less than two years. Under present conditions of medical practice, it was suggested that tlicr usual retiring age of the medical staff should be 60 years, which might be extended at the discretion of the board. Scale lor Different Hospitals On similar lines to a scheme already operating at Auckland, the conference favoured the introduction of medical hospital committees, and it was considered that the remuneration of the visiting medical staffs should be on tho basis of annual salary. A proposal was also adopted that a scale of payment for different hospitals should be drawn up by a liaison committee of the hospital boards aiid the medical staff committees. The report added that the question of extending the out-patient services was also discussed. It was generally agreed that it was not the intention of the hospital boards to extend these activities in tho meantime. Matter for Negotiation Dr. J. P. Hastings said it seemed obvious to him that the visiting staff should be paid, but the more full-time doctors the hospital possessed the less necessity there would be for the payment of what had previously, been known as the honoraries. "The rates of payment for visiting staffs were left by the conference for each individual board to negotiate," stated the chairman, Mr. Allan J. Moody. "A conference with the profession at Auckland, will be arranged at an early date." On the motion of Mr. E. H. Potter, the question was referred to the Finance Committee for report.

BENEFITS UNDER ACT SCOPE OF LEGISLATION WILSON HOME INCLUDED Following a ruling from the DirectorGeneral of Health, Dr. M. H. Watt, a number of subsidiary institutions administered by the Auckland Hospital Hoard are to he included within the scope of the benefits of the Social Security Act. The board was informed last night that the hospital benefits would cover treatment in the Franklin Memorial Hospital, the Warkworth Cottage Hospital, the Wilson Home for Crippled Children, the Alexandra Home and the Auckland Infirmary. Dr. Watt ndded that the position at the infirmary, however, was that benefits would be paid as a general rule only in respect of hospital treatment afforded in recognised infirmary wards. In this connection, the .Minister had approved the recognition for the purposes of hospital benefits of all accommbdation at the institution permanently reserved for patients requiring in-patient treatment. DOCTORS AT WAIUKTT ATTENDANCE AT INSTITUTION The effect of the provisions of the Social Security Act on the position of two Waiuku practitioners who provide medical attendance at the Franklin Memorial Hospital was discussed in a letter received by the Auckland Hospital Board last night from the Direc-tor-General of Health, Dr. M. H. A\att. Dr. Watt said the existing arrangement whereby the doctors were {illowed to make a charge direct to the patient was inconsistent with the intention of the Act that public hospital treatment and care should bo free. It was therefore desirable that steps should be taken to revoke the rule, and, as the alternative, it would appear that the doctors should be appointed part-time medical officers.The matter was referred to the Finunco Committee.