MEDICAL INCOMES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26779, 24 May 1948, Page 4

MEDICAL INCOMES

REPLY TO LORD BEVERIDGE STATEMENT BY B.M.A. T.A. WELLINGTON, May 22. “ Lord Beveridge, like so many other commentators on the medical benefits under Social Security in New Zealand, has made his remarks after an incomplete survey,” says a statement by the executive of the British Medical Association, replying to criticism voiced by Lord Beveridge in Canberra. “The opponents of the existing methods of medical practice have two weapons which they wield with vigour, but not always with skill,” said the statement. “These are ‘abuses’ and ‘fantastic incomes.’ The big incomes derived from the Social Secur- • , ity Fund are much fewer in number than many would have us think. Probably there are not more than five such incomes in the country. “ Many of the big incomes are made by firms of doctors, and not by individual practitioners. When these in T comes are divided by the appropriate number they are of much less impressive proportions. As regards the abuses, these appear to be quite nebulous, and this association has great, difficulty in getting produced concrete; evidence to prove the allegations.” The statement added that in war time the profession carried on shorthanded by a superhuman effort, in many cases impairing the health of members in providing medical services for the Dominion, and it was obvious that incomes of doctors who accepted their remuneration directly from the Social Security Fund would be higher during those years. With the return of doctors from war service and the emergence of many new graduates, the superhuman effort had ceased by necessity, and incomes had fallen proportionately. “The accusation of shoddy, work takes a great deal of sustaining,” added the statement. “In every calling there are good, average and indifferent workers. In this association of 1500 members there are naturally a few indifferent practitioners who do ' ‘ shoddy work, but we defy anyone to substantiate the statement that ‘ many ' doctors were unwillingly forced into a position of doing shoddy work for' i • many instead of good work for a limited ,number.’ This association hopes sincerely that, when the report v of the joint committee at present sitting is released, a medical service satisfactory to all parties will emerge and that a new era of co-operation between the doctors and the Health Department will dawn.”