MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19249, 13 August 1924, Page 7

MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS.

AN AMENDING BILL. IFkom Oijb Own Coebespondent.) WELLINGTON, August 12. The Medical Practitioners’ Bill provides that the Medical Board in future be known as the Medical Council. Instead of as in the past, being constituted of too Inspector-general of Hospitals and six medical practitioners nominated by the Government, it will comprise a nominee of ,the 8.M.A., and that member of the Faculty of Medicine in the University of Otago, who for the time being holds office as a member of the Medical Board. The first vacancies occurring after the passage of the Bill shall bo tilled in accordance with the new arrangement. The Bill makes further provisions in regard to diplomas. Persons registered or eligible for registration in the United Kingdom by virtu® of a foreign diploma shall not be entitled to a right to registration in Now Eeaand, but the Council snail nave the power of refusal of approval, and may, if it thinks fit, require a candidate to pass an examination in medicine, and surgery. Disciplinary powers are vested in the Council to strike the name off the register of anv practitioners removed from the English roll or from the New Zealand roll on notice in writing to the person affected. If the Council Has reason to suspect that any registered practitioner has been guilty of grave impropriety or infamous conduct it may call upon him to show cause why he should not be dealt with in a disciplinary manner. Power is given the Council to suspend practitioners for a period not exceeding 12 months, or to impose a monetary penalty not exceeding £SO. There shall bo a right of appeal to the Supremo Court. No medical practitioner is to resume practice after a discharge from a menial hospital without a license from the Council. Where the license has been refused there shall also bo a right of appeal to the Supreme Court. Practising without a license involves summary conviction and a fine of £IOO and £2O for each day during which the offence occurs.