PRIVATE BEDS IN HOSPITAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3870, 15 May 1928, Page 7

PRIVATE BEDS IN HOSPITAL.

ADMISSION OF DOCTORS’ PATIENTS. In November last Drs Radcliffe and Brown, of Balclutha, applied to the South Otago Hospital Board for permission to treat their private patients at the Balclutha Hospital. After considerable discussion by the board, it was decided that the chairman (Mr J. Clark) and the members of the Works Committee of the board should confer with the local doctors regarding the proposal, and the conference was held. The upshot was that it was resolved to submit a recommendation to the board that the doctors’ request be granted. The members of the board weie divided in opinion as to the wisdom of this course, however, and after consideration it decided that the matter be deferred until it had been referred to the Director-general of Health, Dr T. 11. A. Valintine.

At 'Tuesday's meeting of the board the chairman (Mr J. Clark) intimated that Dr Valintine bad agreed to the proposal. and asked the members to decide whether or not Drs Brown and Radcliffe should be allowed the privilege of treating their own patients in the hospital. The Medical Superintendent (Dr A. C. B. Biggs) expressed himself in favour of the proposal, which, if brought into effect, would, he considered, give the local doctors an additional interest in the hospital. Mr J. W. Fenton said he was opposed to the idea, and he could not see the necessity for it. " 'The Chairman then moved —-“ That Drs Brown ’ and Radcliffe be granted, when available, the use of one bed each in the men’s and women’s wards at the Ba'iclutha Hospital for the treatment of certain of their own patients, such right to be at the pleasure of the board.”

Cr King seconded the motion. Mr G. 11. Thomson opposed the motion. The idea conveyed in it, he said, made for differentiation of treatment, and it was doubtful if the Minister of Health would altogether support the attitude of the head of the department. He could not see why special privileges should be granted to certain individuals in the public wards of a hospital. Moreover, the question of the beds for private cases being required for urgent cases arose, and, if the motion was carried, it seemed to him that some, of the board’s own patients would be crowded out. Dr Biggs pointed out that at present there was ample accommodation at the hospital, and assured the members that there was no possibility of any case sent to the institution being turned away. Furthermore, there would be no question of differentiation in treatment. Every patient, whether private or otherwise, would receive exactly the same treatment. The motion was then put to the meeting and carried. Mr Fenton said he could not see wny the privilege should be extended only' to the two doctors in question, and moved —■ “ That permission to treat private patients at any of the hospitals in the district be granted to every medical man in the South Otago district.” Mr G. 11. Thomson, observing that Mr Fenton’s idea was only logical, seconded the motion. Dr Biggs said that Mr Fenton’s idea was hardly practicable, as there might be certain doctors in the district other than Drs Brown and Radcliffe who, if allowed the privilege, would not work in with the board. Mr Fenton’s motion, on being put to the meeting, was last on the casting vote of the chairman. At this stage a mild uproar arose, and, after it had subsided, a motion by Mr G. if. Thomson, and seconded by Mr Mosley—“ That the fee for private patients in the hospital be £5 55,” was also lost. Mr' Thomson, however, had the last word. “ I warn you, Mr Chairman,” he said, “ that I shall take this matter personally' before the Minister.”

Mr' Thomson, however, had the last word. “ I warn you, Mr Chairman,” he said, “ that I shall take this matter personally' before the Minister.” No one appeared to have any objection to this course, and the diseusison lapsed.