1926-12-01 — Page 2

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2

THE HONGKONG DAILY

THE DISTILLERS AGENCY, LTD.

LONDON, EDINBURGË. GLASGOW.

THE

"TOP NOTCH'

SCOTCH

"KING

GEORGE IV”

WHISKY

Pint flasks suitable for picnics, etc, now obtainable at $220 per Flask duty paid.

SOLE AGENTS:

GANDH, PRICH &

St. George's Building, Ice House Street.

CAN I WEAR

THIS ACAIN

CO., LTD,

Tel. No. Central 135,

of course YOU CAN, WHY NOT TRY OUR DRY-CLEANING SERVICE. WE LIFT THE SHADOW OFF YOUR CLOTHES, AND GIVE THEM A NEW LEASE OF LIFE.

The Steam Laundry Co.

HEAD OFFICE & WORKS: Mongkok, Tel. K. 32. HONGKONG DEPOT: 18, Stanley St., Tel. 0. 1279. KOWLOON HOTEL DEPOT. KOWLOON DEPOT: 19, Canton Road. PEAK HOTEL DEPOT.

HONGKONG HOTEL ́(Visitors only),

ASAHI

BEER

SPECIALLY BREWED FOR EXPORT

DAI NIPPON BREWERY CO.

· LIMITED.

TOKYO JAPAN:

SOLE AGENTS-

MITSUI BUSSÄN KAISHA

BONGEONG

LTU.

Hazeline Snow

(Trade. Maris)

Ladies find it the ideal non-greasy toilet preparation. Men use after shaving because it soothes and cools the skin.

"Hazeline" Rose Frost"

(Trade Marki

for those who need a touch of colour

Both in glass pola

All Chemista sad, Sturen

BURROUGHS WELLCOKE & Co. (The Wellcome FOUNDATION: £78, Londen, Ene)

LONDON AND SHANGHAI

**4553

· Al Rights Rezarad

HOSPITAL FEES.

WHY THEY WERE RAISED.

FIRST CONSIDERED SIX-YEARS AGO.

THE OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1st, 1925.

There is something to be said for the adoption of this principle as competition would reduce the very high fees charged by private practitioners here, but I do not think that the proposal would be. regarded as satisfactory by the existing medical arms-I have, eto,

R. E. STUBBS, Governor, &c.

The purport of this dispatch was conveyed to the British Medical Asso ciation by the Secretary of State and drew the following reply.

Following the criticism of the Govern ment's action in raising the fees charged

SI,.. The Committee" is advised for medical treatment in the Government that Sir R. Stubbs refused to receive a deputation from the general practitioners Hospitals of Hongkong the official cor of Hong Kong who desired to explain respondence relating to the subject has their position and has never given them now been published in the form of any facilities for laying their ease be Sessional Paper.

In 1920 the local branch of the British Medical Association raised the question but the Government replied that it did not propose to increase the fees.

fore him In these circumstances the Committee is unable to concur in the statement that the matter has been care- fully considered by the Colonial adminis tration, and would request, in view of the recent changs of Governor, that the question may be re-opened.

In 1923 three local Arms of medical I am to emphasize the fact that the practitioners again took up the matter proposition with regard to the imposi stating that they considered that local tion of fees for medical and surgical doctors were subjected to unfair cora- consultations and treatment at the Gov. petition by the low rates charged in rnment Hospitals to persons not en- Government hospitals and more parti titied by their contracts to free medical cularly by the fact that surgical opera-service, and unable to pay for such sor- tions were performed free in these hos vice was not necessarily meant to imply pitals. The matter was referred to the that such fees should pass to the Govern Secretary of State, who replied that it ment medical officers concerned. The appears to be the general practice in point would be fully met if they were the Colonies for Government Civil credited to the ordinary, revenue of the Hospitals to afford treatment to the Hospitals. general public on the payment of certain rees,

These fees however are clearly intended to cover only the cost of maintenance, nursing attendance, etc, and are paid into the Government Chest as revenue derived from the `Medical | department, and no special effort seems to be made to avoid competition with private practitioners.”

<1

་་

||

In view of this reply the Government informed the three firms that it was not prepared to establish a scale of special fees for operations in Government hos pitals.

British Medical Association's

2. Complaint, The matter was then taken up by the British Medical Association, London, and a copy of the following letter from the British Medical Association was for warded by the Secretary of State for consideration.

St.-Lam instructed by the Dominions Committee of this Association (British Medical Association) to bring to your notice certain circumstances in connec- tion with the Hospital Medical Service under the Hong Kong Government.

As regards Sir R. Stubb's remark upon "the very high fees charged by private practitioners in the Colony" 'I'am to add that the Committee has been advised of the ordinary level of fees in the Colony. It would appear that these fees are actually lower than those actually charged in Shanghai and Singapore and that in general they do not appear to be unduly high, having regard to the gen eral level of fees in this country and the relative expenses of medical practice in Hong Kong and elsewhere.-I am, etc.,

(Sd.) G C ANDERSON,"

Deputy Medical Secretary.. Whole Question Reconsidered. The whole matter was reconsidered by the Government and on October 2nd," 1993 the following depatok was sont by. H. E. Sir Cecil Clementi on October 22nd, 1920.

SIR, With reference to your despatch on the subject of the terms on which patients are admitted to Government hospitals. I have the honour to state that the matter has been fully reconsidered since my predecessor's despatch of 11th March, 1993, was written.

for maintenance only and not for medical as a Government hospital, where charges treatment could be made rather than a Private hospital where charges both for maintenance and for medical treatment he made.... by a private medical practitioner would

It is understood that the Hospital

After consultation with the. Principal Medical Service is maintained by the Civil Medical Officer I have come to the Hong Kong Government for the purpose conclusion that there in force in the of supplying the medical needs of Gov erniment servants and the poor and that contention of the British Medical Asso

ciation that private medical practitioners those Hospitals are staffed by Medical in this Colony are subjected to unfair Officers employed by the Government, competition in that a person would ordi. and that private practitioners are denarily prefer to enter a hospital, such barred from attending or operating on their own patients in the Hospitals Other patients, however, who do not be long to the Government Service and wha are not in need of inancial assistance to defray their medical expenses are also admitted for treatment and it happens that in many cases those admitted are not even residents of the Colony. The fees charged are:-88.00 per day for the 1st class; 88.00 per day for the 2nd class; 82.00 or $1.00 per day for the 3rd class These fees include not only Hospital maintenance but also medical, surgical and obstetric treatment, and drugs, whilst at the same time other Hospitals available in the Colony for the patients of private practitioners charge similar fees for maintenance only,

The result is that regardless of the financial position of the patient anyone, whether resident, transient or tourist, of whatever nationality, is admitted into the Government Hospital, and "simply on payment of the approximate cost of board and lodging according to the class of room taken, receives free, all medical treatment, and anything that may be re- quired in the way of operation, X-ray or obstetrical work, etc. In other words there is a considerable class of patients receiving from the Government medical and surgical treatment as, a charity to which they are in no way entitled.

It has therefore been decided that a new scale of charges,... shall be substituted for the present scale of charges as frem 1st January, 1927. (There charges have already been pub-

shed),

The chief points of difference between the present and the new scales are

11

(1) The charges for medical attendance at a rate of one-third of the main- tenance rate in the case of 1st and 2nd class private patients: the Principal Civil Medical Officer is of opinion that this charge ap- proximately equals the charge that private medical practitioners would make in ordinary cases;

(2) the fees charged for surgical opera

tions and maternity cases,

It is considered that the Principal Civil Medical Officer should have dis cretionary power to waive the extra fees, in view of the fact that there is a class of person, who, whilst they can afford to pay 1st or 2nd class rates for main-

The Dominions Committee is therefore tenance, cannot afford to pay extra of the opinion that the private practi-charges for medical attendance, surgical tioners in the Coloiy are at a disadvan-operations or maternity cases.

tage in that their patients are freely All fees with the exception of the con- admitted and treated by operation or sultants' fees will be paid into the ordi- otherwise in Government Hospitals by nary revenue of the Colony, Government Medical Officers, or in other

The Government consultants referred words that there is unfair competition. tò in the notification are the Professors The Committee would be glad if the of Surgery, Medicine, Obstetrics and Secretary of State would approach the Gynaecology at the University of Hong Hong Kong Government in order to as Kong. These professors have always certain if it would not be possible for been connected with the Government the Government Hospital to charge fees hospitals, though hitherto their exact for medical and surgical consultations status has not been clearly defined. The and treatment given by the medical staff matter was discussed with the Vice- to all persons admitted to the hospital except these Government Servants who proposals affecting these professors. are entitled by. their contracta to free

The rates for maintenance at the Peak medical service and those members of the Hospital will remain the same as they community who have not the means to are at present, namely 810 per diem for pay for such services. Such fees should, 1st class and $8 per diem for 2nd class of course, be approximately on the patients. Patients at this hospital are same scale na the fern charged by private attended at their own charges by their practitioners. It is understood that arowe doctors-I have, etc., rangements on these lines are at present,

in force at the Government Hospitals in Singapore and the Dominions Committee sces no reason why a similar arrangement should not be set up in Hong Kong.--| I am, etc,

(sd) G. O. ANDERSON,"

Deputy Medical Secretary. Bir E. Stubba's Reply.

In reply the following despatch was addressed to the Secretary of State by H.E. Sir Edward Stubbs on March 11th,

1925.

4.

SI-I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch with regard to the terms on which patients are ad- mitted to Government Hospital in this Colony.

After careful consideration I have come, to the conclusion that it would not be possible to work such a system as is suggested in the letter from the British Medica! Association of the 22nd October, unless this Government definitely adopt ed the principle of allowing all medient officers the right of private practice,

T

WHERE ↔ no worry or anxiety in bearing Many healthfully and happily, even in a tropical climate, when Glaxo is used as Baby's food,

Glass is the food that has been used to rear the children in five Royal Nurseries. Cour Physicians sie that Royal Babies have the best and most nourishing food- that is why Glaxo has been chosen.

Give your Baby Glaxo, and watch the difference after a few days; see how restfully besicers, bow,contented he is and how steadily be increases in weight. Ask your Doctor!

Glazos

The Vitamin Milk-Fond

"Builds Bonnie Babies"

WR. LOXLEY & CO-SOLK ADIMIR

GREEN ISLAND CEMENT CO., LTD.

Best Portland Cement.

SHEWAN. TOMES & CO.

GENERAL MANAGERS,

HONGKONG.

RIGAUD, 16 RUE DE LA PAIX, PARIS. NEW STOCK OF FRENCH PERFUMES.

JUST ARRIVED.

UN Am EMBAUMÉ '

“ UN AIR EMBAUME '

"Grand Model.

AGENTS IN HONG KONG :

VICENTE ATIENZA & Co.

No. 54, NATHAN HOAD, KOWLOON.

TEL. K. 155.

WITHOUT PURE BLOOD HEALTH IS IMPOSSIBLE.

BLOOD

VETARZO MEDICINE

Chancellor who concurs in the present be equalled in diseases arising from impure blood. It sourches out and expels from the

(84) C. CLEMENTI,

Governor, ka

SPORTING.

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EB.A.” Air Rides, and Miniatura Rifles,

Calibre, Reposting and Automatic, SPORTING CARTRIDGES of all den- wriptions.

Agents for W. W. GREENEE, LT, BAM.

HONGKONG SPORTING ARMS AND, AMMUNITION STORE,

Braconsfield. Azcade.

Never before was there anything like it, nor are its marvalions properties likely ever to

sorofalous and glandular swellings, bad legs, absscesos, ulcers, eczema, gout, rheums. am goitre of Derbyshire Neck, etc. It improves the general health and quickly ramorse long-standing bronchitis, athina and backing, straining, spasmodic cough,

of consumption. A

vital current every lurking trace of poisonous matter, curing blood and skin diseasen,

too often the precursor

LIFE: WITHOUT HEALTH" 19 LIVING DRATIL

VETARZO BRAIN AND NERVE FOOD.

Tor Narrons Breakdown & Chronlä Weakness. VETARZO REGULATORS. Sato and Reliable w

English Price 34, (either remedy). The VETARZO REMEDIES C0%, Gopal Oak, H.W.5, London, Eng. Unprincipled Dealers may try to sell you something else for extra profit-dozot accept it. Iniist on haring VETARZO. The genuine his words VETÁRZO BEMEDIES” on Government Stamp Sold by Leading CASH CABENIN,

TER NEW FIING, REXID

THERAPION NO. THERAPION No. 2 THERAPION NO.

3

Eo 1 le Minddar Cemerk. Hs. # âne Moon & Micha Dissions. Me. 1'der Olovale WorknoDAR, TIČE St "SKANTO GENEROS, PRICES EN MORGANE 26. Da Za Dusu Ms. Earmstock – BA, B.Why London, in MAI-PRON 90, BERMAN De Heu;Tón% Ong, ON 63

The terms of the competition for designs, for the now. Waterloo Bridge are now being settled,

TROUALRA.

ENGLISH

TRIER 3/-. ALL FRANKCACIES

OR DIRMOT,CH,BELUKK,19,QUAT

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PERSPIRATION, BAD ODOURS, AND ALL TOOT

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VENDIN "AND, SOÁR, TANT

MARTIN'S

PILLS

PAPIOL & STEEL F Sure and certain for all Female complants. Every lady should keep a box in the house.

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