PRIVATE HOSPITAL BEDS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3888, 18 September 1928, Page 10

PRIVATE HOSPITAL BEDS.

SOUTH OTAGO DISCUSSION. PROPOSAL STRONGLY CRITICISED. Some time ago Drs Brown and Radcliffe, of Balclutha, conferred with a committee from the South Otago Hospital Board, and proffered a request that they should be allow’ed the use. of two beds each in the base hospital at Balclutha for the purpose of treating patients. The matter was considered at a subsequent meeting of the board, and was then held over for some time, until at the monthly meeting in May, despite vigorous opposition from Messrs G. 11. Thqmson and J. W. Fenton, a resolution giving effect to the doctors’ request was moved by Mr J Christie, carried, and eventually sanctioned by the Directorgeneral of Health. At that meeting, Mr Thomson expressed strong disapproval of the proi>osals, and on the motion being carried, issued a warning that he would forward a protest to the Minister of Health.

At the monthly meeting of the board on Tuesday, in accordance with previous notice of motion, Mr Thomson moved—(a) “That the resolution of this board passed on May 8, 1928, that the local doctors (Brown and Radcliffe) should be granted, when available, the use of one bed each in both the women’s and men’s - wards at the Balclutha Hospital for the treatment of their own patients, such privileges to be during the pleasure of the board, should be rescinded.” (b) “ In the event of the proposal being not carried that the fee to be charged to the occupiers of these special beds should be £5 5s per week, payable in advance.” (c) “in the event of proposal not being carried, that the like privilege should be extended to all medical probationers in the South Otago district in any of the hospitals under the control of the board.”

In submitting motion (a) Mr Thomson said that as he had warned the board when it passed the original motion, he had taken the matter before the Minister of Health, and protested against the Director-general of Health giving his sanction to the arrangements. The Minister, however, like a true politician, had dodged the issue, and had written stating that it was quite within the powers of the board to allow certain practitioners to attend the Balclutha Hospital. Apparently be had misunderstood the real purpose of the motion, which was that particular beds should be put aside for Drs Brown and Radcliffe f<y their private patients. He had, said Mr Thomson, taken up the position from the outset that doctors should be allowed to attend the Balclutha Hospital as honorary medical officers. He did not know how the new system was working, but the chairman (Mr J. Clark), had said that prior to its inauguration some patients were going to private hospitals in Dunedin, which meant that the board was losing money If this was the. ease, said the speaker, it seemed to him that the effect of the motion was to turn their publi; hospital into a private one for the doctors in question. The Minister had thrown the responsibility on the board, and he (Mr Thomson) refused to accept any part of that responsibility. Mr Fenton seconded the motion, and in view of several opinions he had heard expressed by patients in the hospital, said he was not sure that the privilege was not being abused. He agreed with Mr Thomson that they were heading towards turning a public hospital into a private one, with the result that there was a grave danger of bringing in class distinction. If they allowed the practice to continue they were not doing their duty to the hospital which ■ had been established for the use of rich and poor alike. As the mover of the original motion, Mr Christie said he thought he was simply bringing Balqjutha Hospital into line with other hospitals in the Dominion. If, however, as Mr Fenton had suggested, discrimination was being shown, the motion was failing in -ita purpose. The medical superintendent (Dr A. C. B. Biggs) said that the new arrange-

ment was working admirably, but it should be remembered that it was not only a privilege to the doctors but also to the patients. All the doctors now had the privilege of attending the hospital in their respective districts in an honorary capacity if they so wished. Mr G. H. Thomson: Not Dr Stewart. Dr Biggs: Dr Stewart has been offered the opportunity, which he refused. “ Never officially,” retorted Mr Thomson. The chairman (Mr J. Clark) pointed out that the doctors at Owaka and Milton were now allowed to attend the hospitals in those districts when they pleased, whereas, before the motion was passed, they c-ojild not do so without the permission of Dr Biggs. Doctors were not allowed to run in and out of the Dunedin Hospital as they pleased. He thought tln?y t should give the system a fair trial. Nir Fenton rose to speak, and, becoming somewhat heated, was called to order by the chairman. An acrimonious and irrelevant argument between the chairman and Mr Fenton ensued until Mr W. J. M'Kenzie poured oil on troubled waters by urging that they should try the new system thoroughly before condemning it. Mr Christie supported the previous speaker, and was going on to explain why he did so when the chairman interjected, “Now, now, John, you’ve spoken before. I can’t let you talk all night.” “There’s no time limit as far as I’m concerned,” retorted Mr Christie, and, to back up his assertion, completed his explanation, which was to the effect that he was satisfied with the superintendent’s report on the matter. “Now, Mr Thomson. I’ll give you half a minute,” said the chairman, when the mover rose to reply. “ You’ll give me just as long as I like,” rejoined Mr Thomson spiritedly, and went ou to state that although he was glad to hear that the system was working well he still opposed it on principle. He had had a feeling that some discrimnation might be shown under the arrangement - inaugurated by the original motion, but he was satisfied now, however, that this was not so. Motion (a) was then put to the meeting, and was lost. Referring to motion (b), Mr Thomson said he considered that the patients in private beds were geting a privilege at the expense of the ratepayers, and they should be made to pay for it. He moved the resolution, which was seconded by Mr Fenton. Mr Christie moved as an amendment —- “ That the fee should be the same as charged for ordinary patients (£3 35).” Mr A. King seconded, and the amendment was carried, the motion being lost. Mr Thomson then moved motion (c), which gave rise to some discussion as to the position of Dr Stewart at Milton. It was generally agreed that whilst the privilege of attending their own patients could be allowed doctors in their own district hospital, such a procedure would hardly be advisable in regard to the Balclutha Hospital with outside doctors. Mr Thomson said that Dr Stewart was not allowed to attend patients in Milton Hospital, but the chairman pointed out that Dr Stewart, although he had been offered the privilege, had not replied to the offer.-, —The motion was lost. Mr G. Hunter suggested that perhaps the board might give Dr Stewart another opportunity of considering the position, and moved—“ That a committee consisting of the chairman and Messrs King, Brough, Hunter, and M’Kenzie should wait on Dr Stewart and again offer him the opportunity of treating such patients as he wished at Milton Hospital, conditional on his complying with the policy of the board as interpreted by the medical superintendent.” Mr Brough seconded the motion, which I was carried.