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Mr. THURBURN.-Do not these hospitals report themselves cases of infections disease?
Dr. ATKINSON.—No; there is no compulsory notification of infectious diseases here as in London. That is an optional Act at home, and it is not enforced in every town in the provinces, and, of course, the diseases to be notified under it vary too.
Mr. THURBURN.-Would it not be better to treat these hospitals in some such way, and make it necessary for them to give their returns?
Dr. ATKINSON.-To pass some Act similar to the Compulsory Notification Diseases Act, yes. I do not think it need be offensive. The Colonial Surgeon might arrange to visit the hospitals and the medical officers in charge would not, I think, object.
Mr. THURBURN.-The medical officers in charge would not object to send in their returns?
Dr. ATKINSON.--I remember that last year the Chelsea Hospital for women (London) was found to be in a most insanitary condition and the result was that a great many women who had been operated on in that hospital died; Dr. PARKES, the Medical Officer of Health for Chelsea, drew up a report and asked for powers to visit the hospital. The medical staff would not allow him to visit, and then he visited as medical officer of health and drew up a report. There was a great scandal, and the staff resigned. Here, the medical officers only visit the Alice Memorial Hospital and Nethersole Hospital at stated periods, and I think it would be better to have them under supervision. I also think it would be very advisable to have compulsory notification here. It is one of those things the Colonial Surgeon might report to the Government. It does not come within my duties to inspect such hospitals; my duties being confined to the Government Civil Hospital, Lunatic Asylums, Infectious Wards and Hygeia, and occasional visits on Government officials at the request of the Colonial Surgeon. I think that those institutions over which the Government have any control should be regularly inspected and supervised, as far as that control extends. The control is only limited at present.
Mr. MCCONACHIE.-I should like to ask if, in your opinion, any of the Government Medical Officers should be allowed private practice?
Dr. ATKINSON.-I think the Resident Medical Officers of the Government Civil Hospital, by that I mean the officer doing duty there for the time being, should be allowed to see patients and advise them and receive fees for the same. They could see the patients at the Hospital, and would not have to see them outside. This question was referred to me by the Colonial Office authorities when I was at home. Of course, there are many points to consider. It has happened over and over again since I have been at the Hospital, and to Dr. Lowson, that private patients from the Hospital when they recover come back and ask us to give them medical advice simply because they were under us in the Hospital and we had taken them through a severe illness; and we have had always to refuse to give them advice. I think in cases like that and in cases sent down to us from the Coast Ports, where we have had hitherto to refer them to other doctors, we should be allowed to see and advise them and receive fees for so doing. It would not be a big matter. It would be of advantage to us in a way, and also, I take it, to the patients.
Mr. THURBURN. --And would not interfere with the general working of your Department?
Dr. ATKINSON.-I do not see it need at all. They would simply wait till we had been round the wards.
Dr. PRESTON.-At home, are Resident Medical Officers allowed to see private patients?
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