FREE MEDICAL SERVICE IN TASMANIA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 3, 5 January 1939, Page 8

FREE MEDICAL SERVICE IN TASMANIA

DOCTORS DID NOT OPPOSE IT ACTIVE STATE DEPARTMENT I Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Jan. 4. The fact that the British Medical Association had not opposed the establishment in Tasmania of the first free medical service in Australia, but had co-operated with the Government in launching it, was mentioned by the Tasmanian State Treasurer, Mr. Edmund Dwyer-Gray, when discussing the Tasmanian scheme in an interview to-day. Mr. Dwyer-Gray is the leader of the (Tasmanian Government delegation 'which, arrived in Wellington on Monday from Sydney to investigate the ) New. Zealand Government’s financial [ policy. | Under the scheme, Mr. Dwyer-Gray {said, the State doctors were being api pointed in outlying districts. They were placed where it was least easy for the public to obtain medical services in the ordinary way. Ten such doctors had already been appointed. They received reasonable salaries, plus reasonable travelling expenses, and gave free medical service to anybody during the day time. In order that these doctors might, as far as possible, have reasonable hours of work for themselves, a small charge was I authorised if they were called to attend people at night. In most cases appointments involved negotiations with municipal councils. Mort men have applied for positions as State {doctors in those outlying localities i than could be appointed at present, |he said, and applications were re- ' ceived from all over Australia and from overseas. Provision of this free medical service was expected to become one of the most active State departmental functions in future. The scheme had received Parliamentary sanction about 12 months ago and would cost the State £17,000 or £lB,OOO for the current financial year. The scheme had created the greatest interest throughout. Australia and had received the widest publicity. ! "The Government in Tasmania is concerned with the education of the people and the public health of the community, two of the most essential functions of any rational Government at. present, and is prepared to spend whatever is necessary for these | purposes.” | Mr. Dwyer-Gray said, “There will 'inevitably be Stale doctors in every country district in Tasmania.”