The Waikato Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1911. HOSPITALS.

Waikato Times, Issue 12183, 19 September 1911, Page 4

The Waikato Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1911. HOSPITALS.

At the Australasian Medical Congress, which opened in Sydney yesterday, the question of the use and abuse of hospitals will take a prominent part. Some of tlie resolutions to be put forward are interesting, and should be carefully noted by Boards in this country. The main points are : 1. That in the opinion of this congress no payment whatever should be taken from patients treated at hospitals maintained by the l donations of the charitable and by Government grants. 2. That, except' in cases of accident or emergency, every patient should before being treated, be 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 ae 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 be a great gain •to the community if a board were established to (a) administer the Government grants ; (b) c'assify hospitals ; (c) prevent overlapping of hospital work ; (d) insist on inquiry for the prevention of imposition ; (&) insist on the adoption of uniform methods of keeping accounts ; (f) close unnecessary hospital? ; (g> prevent the establishment of. unnecessary hospitals ; fb) foster economy in hospital administration ; (i) promote the transfer of patients from one class of hospital to another. What the feeling of the members of the medical profession towards these proposals will be it is impossible to say, hut we believe that it is possible many of the proposals will he looked upon with favor. We should like to see the Waikato Hospital Board discuss some of tha questions, which as drafted ; ppear to be fair to all sides.