SHORTAGE OF DOCTORS

Southland Times, Issue 24650, 23 January 1942, Page 4

SHORTAGE OF DOCTORS

SERIOUS POSITION IN AUCKLAND SUGGESTIONS BY B.M.A. (P.A.) AUCKLAND, January 22. The great difficulties under which a depleted body of doctors in Auckland is carrying on civilian work, now that many practitioners have been mobilized for an indefinite period with the Defence forces, are described in a statement issued by the president of the Auckland Division of the British Medical Association, Dr A. Eisdell Moore, on behalf of his executive. The executive is very perturbed about the provision of adequate medical services for many parts of Auckland. There is now a large number of Auckland doctors serving with the forces overseas, and for some months all the remaining doctors have been working at high pressure. Many of these men have, in addition to carrymg on their practices, gone into camp for varying lengths of time to act as medical officers for territorial units. Now that these territorial units have been mobilized many of the younger and most active members of the profession have, of necessity, had to be mobilized also, and it is obvious that the general public will be unable to receive the same degree of medical service as in the past. ■ In some of the older established suburbs, such as Parnell, Epsom and Remuera, there is a higher proportion of more elderly doctors, and the position is not so acute, but in the more recently developed areas of Dominion Road and Mount Albert the position is most serious.

LARGE AREA WITHOUT DOCTOR Before the war there were six doctors living on the New North Road engaged in general practice. Three of these were carrying on their work until the recent mobilization and all these three are now in camp.. Similarly, there were five doctors living on Dominion Road. Only two now remain in practice, and of these one is a senior surgeon at the hospital, which greatly limits the time available for outside work. Thus the large residential area of Dominion Road to Mount Albert is almost devoid of resident medical men. The executive views the position with great concern. No one can deny that a state of emergency exists in New Zealand and that the medical needs of the military must come first. No prospect of the early release of doctors who have been called up can be. seen, but the medical needs of the civilian still remain, and though the population to be cared for may be somewhat smaller, it is the fit men who have gone into camp and the less robust, aged and children who remain. VISITING NURSES The executive feels that some steps must be taken to help doctors who have now to struggle with a huge increase in their work. The executive therefore suggests, first, that the present position should be made known to the public in the hope that the public will co-operate by refraining from seeking medical advice for minor ailments and by notifying a doctor as early as possible in the day when a visit is required; and secondly, it is suggested that the Auckland Hospital Board be asked to help the profession by increasing the present service. of visiting nurses so that persons unable to obtain the services of a doctor could be seen by a nurse who would report to a doctor the nature and urgency of the call. It is hoped that the Hospital Board will also help the profession to establish a scheme by which some doctor would be available for all urgent night calls throughout the city. The executive feels that medical men can and will work very long hours to help in this emergency, but that unless adequate rest at night is possible there will be a further breakdown in the number of doctors available for routine work. The executive believes that the profession could co-operate with hospitals in the establishment of such a night service.