MEDICAL CONGRESS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 26, 15 September 1911, Page 4

MEDICAL CONGRESS.

At the Australasian Medical Congress, which is to bo held in Sydney under the presidency of Dr. F. Antill Pocklcy, which will open next Monday, and close on Saturday, September 23rd, amongst other important questions that of the use and abuse of hospitals will take a prominent place. The hospital committee will submit the following important resolutions for the affirmation of the congress.—l. That in the opinion of this congress no payment whatever should be taken from patients treated at hospitals maintained by the donations of the charitable and by Government grants. 2. That, except in cases of accident or emergency, every patient should, before being treated, lie required to sign a declaration of inability to pay for medical attendance, and that as far as possible all patients seeking treatment should bring a recommendation from their own medical attendant, whether lodge or other. 3. That this congress affirms the foregoing resolutions as the foundation of any real reform in the present abuse of hospitals, and is of opinion that other hospital accommodation would extend naturally to the inclusion of all those able to pay for medical or surgical treatment. 4. That this congress is of opinion that it would he a great gain to the community if a board were established to (a) administer the Government grant; (b) classify hospitals; (c) prevent overlapping of hospital work; (d) insist on inquiry for the prevention of imposition; (e) insist on the adoption of uniform methods of keeping accounts; (f) close unnecessary hospitals; (g) prevent the establishment of unnecessary hospitals; (h) foster economy in hospital administration ; (i) promote the transfer of patients from one class of hospital to another.