HOSPITAL CONTROL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 30 April 1926, Page 8

HOSPITAL CONTROL.

MINISTER REPLIES TO B.M.A. “RIGHTS OP A FREE PEOPLE.” By Telegraplt—Press Association. BLENHEIM, April 29. Speaking at the opening of a new nurses’ home at AVairau Hospital, tho Minister of Health (.Hon. J. A. Young) replied •to tho B.M.A.’s reference ito Dr. MacUacluYn’s report. "We lmvc recently Juid in this country,- ’ said the At. mstcr, “a gentleman from America invited here by the British Medical Association. He lias reported to the 8.M.A., which seems very angry with me because' I didn’t, throw my arms around his neck and, accept without question everything he had to say.” He Avished to say that neither he nor his Department ' was above accept.iig anything in Dr. MaeEachorn’s report, Avhich avouUl be helplul and beneficial to tho Dominion. If it Avould better the health of the'people, it Avoukl be treated Avith consideration and acted upon, but AA-hen anyone attempted to dictate to him’ or put pressure on him, or Avork propaganda to undermine the powers of Hospital Boards, the Department, or the people, he Avould be up in arms and take a. stand against the Avhole medical' profession. lie recognised that the doctors performed an important function, but their iob was not to govern / the com- 1 nmnity, but to help it in sickness. Whilst the, profession kept to that, job it Avould liavo no greater friend tliali lie but Avlien it failed to observe that rule, he Avould be up against it. The B.M.A. suggested that elected niehv tiers of Hospital Boards Averc not .suitr ab'e to cany on tho Avork they were doing. If that Avere so, the community had a remedy, and could bring aboutia. change at any time. Jf we had a nominated system there would ho neither soul to condemn nor body to kick out. The Minister then read Dr. Watt’s letter, Avhich has already been, published, and continued: “I’m told 'by medical men in AVellingtou that it - is very unfair for me to read a letter from Dr. .Watt, but I think Aye must trust our oavh men rather than strangers, avlio came here to tell us lioav to run our oavu business. A r ou can be assured that AA r hile the community is controlling the hospitals of the country, it has a check on expenditure, but Avith nominated persons in charge, or having a controlling influence in any Avny, they Avould not bo concerned about finance. They Avill get Avliat they Avnut. Avhether you can pay or not, so I want tho people to be behind me and support me in maintaining the rights of a free people to govern their oavii institutions.”