DOCTORS UPHELD.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17268, 14 November 1929, Page 8

DOCTORS UPHELD.

HUNTLY MEDICAL CLUB. HOBPITAL BOARD DROPS SCHEME. OBJECTION OF MEDICAL ASSNThe scheme for co-operation between the Huntly Medical Club and the Waikato Hospital Board, drawn up after prolonged negotiations, has been abandoned owing to the objections raised by the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association. At a meeting of the Hospital Board today, the report of a conference between representatives of the board, the Medical Association and the Huntly •Club was received and confirmed. The report in effect asked Huntly people to draw up a new scheme that would meet the wishes of the British Medical Association. The conference had been held privately on October 24. There were present Mr Campbell Johnstone (chairman), Messrs H- A. Bell, J- Price, J. J. Ryburn (members of the House and Finance Committee), Messrs G. Smith and E- George (Huntly), Dr. J. SElliott (president of the British Medical Association), Dr. Hockin and the secretary. The chairman outlined the negotiations which had taken place between the Board and those interested in the formation of a medical society for Huntly and district. Claims of Private Practice. Dr. Elliott then stated the position from the British Association’s point of view, pointing out that it was not the desire of the Association to dictate to the board, but to meet the Board in a friendly spirit; the Association, however, was entitled to consideration. The conditions at Huntly were materially different from other districts In New Zealand where medical clubs had been formed, In that in the Huntly district there were already ample medical facilities; also the proximity of the Waikato Hospital did not warrant the Board converting the Huntly Hospital into a general hospital. The British Medical Association was not opposed to enter into contracts with friendly societies and medical clubs, but objected to hospital boards undertaking responsibilities -which would interfere with' ordinary private practice. After some discussion It was decided that the Huntly representatives should be asked to revise the proposed conditions so as not to conflict with the British Medical Association, and to submit the amended conditions for the board’s approval. Opposition Hopeless. - When the report of this conference came before the board to-day, the chairman (Mr Johnstone), asked the Huntly representative (Mr G. Smith) whether tne people of the town had any further proposal to submit. Mr Smith replied that, as the British Medical Association had objected to the board’s scheme, the people had been thrown back on their own resources. The committee set up to form the medical club had been practically dissolved. It had passed a resolution of appreciation of the board’s efforts, but had realised that to carry on in opposition to the B.M-A. would be a serious matter. If the board were to advertise for a doctor for Huntly and the B.M.A- objected, the only people who would be likely to apply would be foreigners or derelicts. The medical societies at present operating In the district were at present considering the matter, but there were practical difllculties in the way of amalgamating these bodies. Alternative Scheme. The chairman said he was sorry to hear of the difllculties. He had hoped after the conference that it would be possible to make an arrangement similar to that at Te Kuiti, under which the board subsidises a local doctor for his hospital work- He mentioned that there was a prospect of more maternity cases being sent to Huntly hospital, a popular and capable midwife of the district having passed away. Mr W. R- Lowry said he would like to have more information about the conference. What objections had been raised to the scheme? The chairman said the principal objection was that the hospital board would be trading—for instance, in dispensing free medicines to outpatients—and that the scheme would interfere with private practice- He supposed it would do so. To subsidise a local doctor for the hospital work would get over the difficulty. Mr J. Price said he understood that if it had been a district where no doctor was now available, the Medical Association would not have raised any objection- * Mr Ryburn thought the plan mentioned by the chairman was preferable to that originally drawn up. The report of the conference was approved.