HOSPITAL POLICY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17236, 16 April 1930, Page 4

HOSPITAL POLICY

ROUND-TABLE DISCUSSION CHANGES RECOMMENDED Hospital policy in New Zealand, particularly the medical slatting oi public Hospitals, was recently discussed in Wellington by accrediteu representatives ol Die Hospital Boards’ association, the New Zealand branch of the British Medical association, the New Zealand orancli of the Australasian College ot •'surgeons, and the Health Department. Certain resolutions were passed at the conference, and if these are given effect to, changes in the present policy will be made. Jhe conference was convened by the Minister of Health, the Hon A. .I.’,Stallworthy, and presided over by the Director-General of Health, Dr.' T. H. A. Valintine. It was the first of its kind to he held in the Dominion, and was l rally the outcome of a desire expressed by the, Hospital Boards' Associaiiou at its annual meeting last, year and hr the Birtish Medical Association -it- H -annual eonteienco early this year. -M the Hospital Boards Conference in 192 b, a deputation was received from Die Australasian College of Surgeons on the subject of the medical staffing of hospitals, and the executive of the association . \ as instructed to investigate Die question generally and to confer with representatives of the medical profession. At that conference, Die opinion was expressed that hospitals had a definite duty in regard to post-graduate courses for medical men outtydo the hospitals lor the sake of the health of the community. A hope was expressed that serious attention Mould |>e given to evolving a scheme of medical staffing which would secure the closest co-oper.r--i°u of the hoards and the medical profession. Ju calling the conference the Minister had the idea of a round-table gathering at which frank discussion might take place on the questions that had arisen, iii they hope that some definite working Policy might, he evolved which would be advantageous both to the sick community and others concerned IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS Iho official resolutions of the conference arc as follow (1) That all members of the community requiring treatment in hospital be eligible for admission to jpu-bfic hospitals, (2) I Hat patients in public hospitals who need, because of the nature of their illness, accommodation other than in the larger wards, shall be provided for by an adequate number of one to four-bed-ded wards. (o) That patients voluntarily availing themselves of such special accommodation shall pay the full cost of maintenance, including overhead expenses, provided that no distinction is made in the case of patients unable to pay. (4) That the medical attendance on patients be in the hands of a visiting staff with the assistance of a requisite number of resident medical officers. (5) That each hospital board must determine the number of the visiting staff, hut it he recommended that in arriving at a decision the board shall, consistent with the convenience and smooth 1 running of the institution, appoint- as many of the medical practitioners residing in the district, as possible. (6) Subject to the approval of the board, that the right of attending their own patients admitted under resolution 5 be extended to all practitioners except such as may for special reasons be deemed unsuitable.

(7) That in making appointments -to the visiting staff and in determining the suitability or otherwise of practitioners for the privilege of attendance on patients. the hospital board should he guided by the advice, of a special consultative hodv, or in the case of the smaller hospital districts by the advice of the Director-General of Health.

(8) That such special consultative body comprise the consulting staff, if any, of the hospital, or in other rases should comprise the senior members of the medical profession of the district selected hv the hospital board with the approval of the Director-General of Health. (91 Patients unable to pay the ordinary hospital fees shall he attended by the visiting medical staff in an honorary capacity.

(10) Patients entering the hospital able to pay for medical attendance in addition to maintenance fees shall make their own terms with their medical attendant:, who will be responsible for collection of his own fees.