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THE PRESIDENT.-Do you consider the present medical staff sufficient for the requirements of the Colony generally, or whether by redistribution it could be made sufficient?
Dr. AYRES.-Well, at times we are very heavily handicapped. The Hospital officers have all enough to do. For myself, if any of my patients require a second visit I have to call upon the Assistant Superintendent at the Hospital to do it for me. I have all sorts of cases all over the place and there are many occasions when I am called away from the Hospital. I have to remain at home if Dr. MARQUES goes to Kowloon or to the other side of the Island. He notifies me and I have to be in the
way
in case of a call in his absence. When Dr. ATKINSON and Dr. Lowson are away I remain in case of accident at the Hospital. I have often to do operations myself. Last Sunday, I had two midwifery cases, two cut-throats and a disembowelling case to work by myself.
Mr. MCCONACHIE.-The question under discussion is whether the general staff is not sufficient for the wants of the Colony.
Dr. AYRES.-You see, the Health Officer is a gentleman with a private practice; he is not properly an officer of the Government in this way that his salary does not carry any pension. Dr. MARQUES was engaged originally as Assistant at the Hospital. Dr. WHARRY and he could not agree. Dr. MARQUES was appointed in 1880, and Dr. WHARRY said he was no service to him. The public mortuary was opened and as Dr. WHARRY wanted to get rid of the post mortem examinations which involved a lot of work, and a lot of Court work, it was decided to put Dr. MARQUES in charge of it and the Lock Hospital. Then when the C. D. Ordinance was abolished, the women, who had arrived at a knowledge of the benefit they derived from being examined, applied to the Registrar General to have the examination continued, but as it was a voluntary matter they refused to be examined by Dr. MARQUES. So he was removed to take charge of the Gaol. In surgical cases he renders very little service.
Dr. PRESTON.-Is the present staff sufficient for the wants of the Colony?
Dr. AYRES.-I think it is a question of dollars. I think there should be a Health Officer attached to the Sanitary Board as Superintendent. Mr. MCCALLUM should be responsible for all inside work and should be on the spot always. The Health Officer should do all the outside work. From a sanitary point of view it is a medical man's work to look after the health of the Colony.
THE PRESIDENT.Do you think a redistribution of duties could be effected so that the present staff would be sufficient for the wants of the Colony?
Dr. AYRES.-By adding this Health Officer and having the men now in the Government service devoting their whole time to the work.
Dr. CANTLIE.-Then it is not sufficient? With a redistribution of duties and the addition of this Health Officer you think it would be sufficient?
Dr. AYRES.-I do not mean to say Dr. JORDAN does not do his full amount of work. He does; and his partner, Dr. BELL, is placed at our service for no fee whatever, He goes down to the Hospital when any of the staff is sick, without any fee or reward.
Dr. PRESTON.-Then we may take it that with a Health Officer and the present medical staff a redistribution would do?
Mr. MCCONACHIE.-You would add three new officers ? Two of these medical
men are not in the Government service entirely.
Dr. AYRES. The doctor of the Gaol is a Government officer now.
Dr. CANTLIE.-With the Health Officer of the port entirely devoted to Government service you would have a sufficient staff?
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