350.
5
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Ansd Q
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONGKONG, 30th July, 1929.
52812/28. (2)
My Lord,
With reference to Mr. Amery's despatch No.119
of the 12th of April, 1928, regarding the grant of free
medical treatment to the families of Government Medical
Officers, I have the honour to inform Your Lordship that a kindred question has arisen as to whether a licensed dental surgeon in private practice in the Colony is entitled to free medical treatment, as distinct from free maintenance,
in a Goverment Hospital.
2.
The existing rule is that Goverment medical officers are entitled to such free treatment; but in the present instance the only basis for the claim to be treated as a Government medical officer is the fact that in addition
to his private practice, the gentleman concerned has a
It monopoly of Government dental work at contract rates. is also argued that one member of the medical profession will always concede free treatment and advice to another; and that, as the dentist concerned would treat a Government medical officer free of charge, therefore he should himself
obtain
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
LORD PASSFIELD,
&C.,
&c.,
&c.
Page
Page
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GEND
obtain free treatment from a Government medical officer.
This of course overlooks the fact that the Government
medical officer may be using Government facilities and
Government time to treat a private doctor, whilst the
private doctor treating a Government doctor uses only his
own time and resources.
3.
For these reasons I am doubtful whether the
application for free treatment in the present instance
should be granted and I shall be glad to have your ruling
in the matter.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient
humble servant,
mento
Governor, &c.
age 6
age 6
7
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