CO885-(26N14) — Page 227

189

Co

885/26

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE | COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

136

COLONIAL MEDICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE.

The Senior Medical Officer of Somaliland urges that £600 a year is hardly sufficient for the Protectorate, and the Governor agrees generally. The Principal Medical Officer, Zanzibar, thinks that the initial salary should not be less than £600, and that the senior grades should have their pay increased in proportion; but the Resident thinks £600 too much, and that there is no reason for specially favouring medical officers in the matter of remuneration, and adds that private practice should not be allowed where private medical practitioners are available. He remarks that the vexed question of private practice has not been fully dealt with by the Committee. The Governor of Trinidad says that the rate of pay recently adopted in that colony, namely, £400 a year with a temporary bonus of £168, has proved sufficient to attract Fuitable candidates, and that there is a waiting list of four, but they are all men who are connected with Trinidad. The Governor of British Guiana says their staff is short, and a high proportion are recent arrivals; the proportion of British to non-British races on the staff has weakened it, and will make promotion to the more responsible posts a very difficult and anxious matter in years to come. Sir G. Haddon Smith thinks that at least one-third of the medical posts should be held by men of pure European blood. Pay must be put up to the figure necessary to attract candidates from this country. He submits detailed proposals, based on a minimum of £600 a year. The Governor of British Honduras remarks that that colony now offers £500, and free quarters or £50 in lien, and private practice (not less than $1,000 a year in Any cane).

The Colonial Secretary of the Leeward Islands (Dr. St. Johnston) remarks that it is unfortunate that in that Colony the medical officers are compelled to seek the greater part of their remuneration in private practice, the receipts from which are necessarily precarious; the result being that a service which might otherwise be attractive is not, as a matter of fact, Fuccessful in getting suitable men. The Governor agrees generally with the Committee, but observes that the question is what salaries the several Presidencies can afford to pay. The Governor of Gibraltar says that Colony is already paying more than the Committee recommend. The Governor of Cyprus thinks that the present pay in that Colony is adequate; private practice ir a material addition. The Chief Medical Officer of Fiji (recently promoted from Uganda) thinks that Colony should pay its medical officers the same rates as in Uganda, the conditions being much the same. The Acting Principal Medical Officer, Sierra Leone, says that local medical officers ask for an increase up to 60 per cent. of the maximum of the pre-war rates for all grades. The Director of Medical and Sanitary Services, Nigeria. remarks that the recent revision of salaries in the West African Medical Staff has proved inadequate to ensure contentment or regular recruitment. He thinks that proportionate increases should be granted to senior members. The Governor quotes the opinion of Mr. Cameron, who admits the necessity for increasing the pay of the staff. Various Governors refer to separate proposals for raising the pay in their colonies.

PENSIONS.

Paragraph 29.-The Committee observe that they have received much evidence indicating that the subject of pensions is giving concern to the members of the medical services, especially in regard to the increased cost of living, which they think is likely to be to a large extent permanent, and which existing pension rates appear to be inadequate to meet. They under- stand that the question of the age of voluntary retirement and pension rates is under considera- tion, and recommend the claims of the medical officers to favourable consideration.

The Colonial Secretary of the Leewards says the pension difficulty is being remedied there, but must have deterred candidates in the past. The Governor of British Guiana says that the local pension law is being improved. The Governor of the Windward Islands thinks that medical officers are liberally treated by being given pensions on the same terms as other officers although a large part of their time is taken up by private practice. The Governor of Cyprus Fees no reason for giving medical men preferential treatment in this matter, and the Legislative Council would not consent. The Chief Medical Officer, Fiji, presses for unification in the age of voluntary retirement and the pension rates. The Principal Medical Officer, Zanzibar, advocates improved pensions (for those who have already retired, as well as in future), and the privilege of voluntary retirement after 18 years service. The Chief Medical Officer of Seychelles remarks that medical officers suffer by being refused the "professional qualifications" addition on the ground that they enjoy private practice. The Director of Medical and Sanitary Services, Nigeria, sees no reason why the medical staff should not accept the pension terms granted for the West African Civil Service generally.

GRATUITIES ON VOLUNTARY RESIGNATION.

Paragraph 30.-The Committee recommend the increase of the scale of the gratuities now given to officers of the West African Medical Staff who desire to retire after a certain number of years' service, and they urge the extension of this system to the East African Medical Staff or even the Colonial Medical Services generally.

The Governor of British Honduras thinks the proposals very sound, but that a lower scale should be adopted for the Colony; but he would consult the Unofficial Members of the Legislative Council before making a definite recommendation. The Acting Surgeon General of British Guiana is not much in favour of the proposal, as it is desirable to induce medical men to give more than nine years' service to the Colony. The Chief Medical Officer of Fiji regards this na important. The Governor of Cyprus sees no reason for preferential treatment of medical officers in this matter: rather the contrary. The Principal Medical Officer of Zanzibar favours the adoption of the system. The Director of Medical and Sanitary Services, Nigeria, does not agree

COLONIAL MEDICAL SERVICE

COMMITTEE.

137

with his medical staff, and thinks that the concessions made in this respect have been very liberul. The Governor quotes Mr. Cameron, who sees no reason for increasing this gratuity, which is payable to the estate of an officer who dies in the service after completing the qualifying period.

LEAVE AND PASSAGES.

Paragraph 32.-The Committee urge facilities for taking leave on full pay, and consider that the Straits Settlements passage regulation-namely, that an officer returning home on leave is granted free passages both ways for himself, his wife, and as many as two children-should be adopted generally, and that officers transferred from one colony to another and returning home before taking up their new appointments, should be given free passages both ways.

The

The Governor of British Honduras says proposals as to leave and passages are before the Secretary of State, but he sees no reason to differentiate in favour of medical officers... Colonial Secretary of the Leeward Islands remarks that before leave can be easily arranged for, the Leewards' medical staff must really become one department, but he thinks that conditions as to passages must be improved. The Administrator of St. Vincent says that many medical officers whose home and whole service is in the West Indies, would be unable to afford to come and remain on leave in the United Kingdom, and the smaller colonies could not afford free passages. The Governor of British Guiana says that considerable improvement has been effected in local leave and passage rules. The Governor of Cyprus thinks that the local scheme for free or assisted passages for all officers is pretty adequate. The Chief Medical Officer, Fiji, thinks that leave and passage conditions should be improved, as they place the Colony at a disadvantage as compared with others in getting and keeping medical men. The Principal Medical Officer of Zanzibar advocates the adoption of the Committee's recommendation, but the Resident thinks it would be necessary to do the same for other Deparments, and does not recommend. The Chief Medical Officer of Seychelles thinks the conditions should be improved, and remarks that when he last came on leave (after ten years' service) his travelling expenses alone (apart from his wife's) had cost him more than a year's salary. Trinidad have taken up the question of assisted passages.

WIDOWS AND ORPHANS.

Paragraph 93.-The Committee hope that schemes for provision for widows and orphans can be extended.

The Administrator of St. Lucia thinks a Widows' and Orphans' Pension Scheme might be managed by amalgamation with other colonies. The Governor of the Windward Islands says the question is receiving attention. The Governor of Cyprus sees no possibility of such a scheme for Cyprus. The Principal Medical Officer of Zanzibar favours the adoption of such a scheme. The Chief Medical Officer of Seychelles would welcome it.

STUDY LEAVE.

Paragraph 34.--The Committee consider study leave more necessary than ever, and suggest that if the period of service to be followed by such leave is to be fixed it should be five years, and the duration of the study should be not less than three months, with a second course at the end of a further period of five years which should be compulsory. If there is an examina- tion, the officer should be compelled to attend it, without being required to pass it, but with a liability of having the fact that he had not passed it taken into consideration. Study leave should be on full pay, and the fees paid by Government. ·

The Chief Medical Officer, Bahamas, thinks that study leave is essential at least every five years on full pay, but realises the difficulty of inaugurating schemes like these in the West Indian Colonies. The Administrator of St. Lucia says that every facility for study leave is desirable, and the Administrator of St. Vincent favours periodical study leave, and suggests that the necessary facilities might be provided at some central point in the West Indies, as many local medical officers could not afford to come home for the purpose, nor could the smaller colonies pay their passages as well as fees and full pay. Sir G. Haddon Smith says the inajority of the Grenada medical officers are local men and do not want long leave; but the Legislative Council is indulgent if they require leave, and would vote the necessary expenditure if one of them wanted to come here for study. The Surgeon General of Trinidad is preparing a scheme for study leave, and the Governor will write about it later. The Senior Medical Officer of Somaliland thinks study leave particularly necessary, as does the Principal Medical Officer of Zanzibar. The Governor agrees generally; so does the Governor of Cyprus, who would arrange for three months every six years. The Chief Medical Officer, Fiji, has already drawn the Governor's attention to the importance of study leave. The Chief Medical Officer, Seychelles, says study leave would be most valuable if it could be provided for. The Acting Governor of the Gambia suggests that study leave can be arranged without its being necessary to appoint a Director General, The Acting Principal Medical Officer of Sierra Leone says that extra leave should be given when ordinary leave is devoted to study. The Director of Medical. and Sanitary Services, Nigeria, is in favour of giving study facilities as liberally as possible. but is against requiring officers to take examinations. The Governor does not think that special study leave should be given in addition to existing leave. The Principal Medical Officer of the Gold Coast says local leave terms make study leave usually unnecessary, but when required it is given, if at all possible.

26248

8

l Page 227