HOSPITAL SERVICE

Waipa Post, Volume 43, Issue 3328, 28 July 1931, Page 5

HOSPITAL SERVICE

QUESTION OF HONORARY STAFFS.

The Te Awamutu branch of the Farmei’s’ Union, which has on occasions shown a rather surprising versatility in its choice of subjects for discussion and advocacy, made an incursion into still another subject at last Saturday’s meeting, when Mr G. H. Whyte, of Ohaupo, moved “That this branch is emphatically of the opinion that the Waikato Hospital should have an honorary staff of physicians and surgeons, and that the Union’s sub-provincial executive be asked to take the question up with all its branches, and also solicit the suppoi't of local bodies in the Waikato Hospital Board’s area. The mover pointed out that the Waikato and Gisborne hospitals were the only ones that did not permit of an honorary staff. The staff at the Waikato Hospital consisted of a superintendent, a house surgeon and the students. It was impossible that the two qualified men could do all the work; thus too much fell to students, and patients were deprived of the services and knowledge of their case of the doctor, upon whose advice they had entered the hospital. As ratepayers in the hospital are contributing a considerable sum for the conduct of the institution they were entitled to the services of qualified medical men. Under present conditions this was denied them, unless they entered a private hospital, when they had to face a much greater expense. It was only fair to point out, added Mr Whyte, that in respect to fees at private hospitals, doctors were under the control of the Medical Association. Further, it was incorrect that doctors would be benefiting financially through attending patients at the public hospital as it was a recognised fact in the profession that a considerable amount of the work would not be remunerative. On the other hand, it would be a great advantage to patients, as more time and care could be given through the saving of travelling time and expense. . Mr Whyte concluded by remarking that the leading Hamilton doctors were probably as highly qualified as any in New Zealand. .' Mr Hodgson seconded the motion and strongly supported the remarks of Mr Whyte. , . , , Other members spoke in support of the motion and gave instances of experience that justified the contentions of the mover.