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THE NATIONAL INSURANCE BILL.
1661 scales, medicines, medical stores, and
instruments for and North Atlantic emigrant ships have been carefully revised by the committee and numerous alterations made. It was resolved that the best thanks of the Council be given to Mr. Dent for his services on the committee. A letter was read from Sir Henry Morris, reporting the proceedings of the General Medical Council at its recent session, and the best thanks of the Council were given to him for his services as the representative of the College on the
merchant
ships
Heron, in the chair. The National Insurance Bill was comupon by the chairman in the course of his remarks in moving the adoption of the annual report, whose gist was
I mented
-
given in THE LANCET on June 3rd. Dr. Heron said that they were all agreed that the evidence which bad accumulated now concerning the measure of national insurance was such as to make them quite clear on two points. The first was that the medical profession heartily sympathised with the principle of the Bill. He did not think there had been a General Medical Council. discordant voice anywhere in the profession with regard to the A letter was read from Dr. Mackenzie Johnston, secretary value of the principle of the Bill. He did not think there of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, enclosing a was any doubt that the medical profession was equa.lly copy of a letter on the subject of the National Insurance Bill unanimous in stating that they would not act under the Bill addressed by that College to the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer, and reporting that the following resolution was also unanimously carried :That the College remit to the Council to appoint a committee to consider the Bill, and give the Council power to take any action that may be necessary in conjunction with other corporations or otherwise.
It
was
resolved-
That Dr. Mackenzie Johnston be thanked for bis communication, and that a copy of the letter addressed by this College to the Chancellor of the Exchequer be sent to him.
ELECTION OF TOW MEMBERS OF COUNCIL. The election of two members of Council will take place at a meeting of Fellows to be held on July 6th. Mr. Dent and Mr. Makins, whose terms of office have expired, will submit themselves for re-election, and a third candidate, Mr. B. G. A. Moynihan of Leeds, is announced.
it made
stood. Unless certain material alterations were would not have anything to do with the Bill. It might become an Act of Parliament, but after that was so the Bill had to be made to work, and it could not work without. the cordial help of the medical profession. as
now
they
Birmingham. The largest meeting of local medical men probably ever held in Birmingham was that convened by the Central division of the Birmingham branch of the British MedicalIt was presided over by Mr. Association for June 2nd. Frank Marsh, and Mr. J. Neal, the representative of the branch, gave an able résumé of the proceedings of the meeting of representatives in London on the two previous days. The following resolution, proposed by Mr. Neal and seconded by Mr. A. Oakes, one of the oldest practitioners in the city,. was unanimously passed with much applause :main objects of the Bill, and being desirous for their attainment, in view of the fact that the present proposals of the Government are unsatisfactory, it is the opinion of this meeting that the Government should be asked to delay dealing with the proposed medical benefits until satisfactory terms have been arranged
That whilst
of
THE NATIONAL INSURANCE BILL. WE give below, as on previous occasions, a brief summary of some of the expressions of opinion on the Bill which have reached us. Other and similar notes will be found in the communications from special correspondents. The solidarity of the opposition of the British Medical Association to the Bill is growing. Pharmacists and the National Insurance Bill. The position of pharmacists under the proposed National Insurance Scheme, which was commented upon in THE LANCET of May 20th. has during the past few weeks been considered by special meetings in all parts of the country, at which resolutions have been passed calling upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer to make certain amendments in the Bill. The matter has also received the attention of a committee appointed by the council of the Pharmaceutical Society, and a deputation arranged by the council has waited upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Further, Mr. W. S. Glyn-Jones, M.P., the Pharmaceutical Society’s Parliamentary secretary, and Professor H. G. Greenish have, at the request of the council, paid a visit to Germany, Austria, and Italy, in which countries they have investigated the conditions governing thesupply of medicines to State insured persons and to members of sick societies and similar bodies. It is evident, therefore, that pharmacists realise the gravity of the situation and are endeavouring to avert the dangers threatened by the Bill in its present form. The principles which.,.they wish to have embodied in the Bill were explained to the Chancellor by the deputation and are as follows :(1) The dispensing of medicines for State insured persons should be done under the direct supervision of a pharmacist and no agreement for the supply of medicines should be made except with thoi-e who are entitled to carry on business as chemists; (2) the control of the pharmaceutical service should be in the hands of local health committees; (3) the remuneration should be on a scale system; (4) insured persons should have a free choice of pharmacists; (5) pharmaceutical benefits should not be extended to persons earning more than £160 a year; and (6) pharmacy should be represented on health committees or on the Advisory Committee or the Insurance Commission. The Chancellor promised to consider these points and expressed the opinion that the operation of the proposed scheme would improve the position of pharmacists. Notwithstanding these assurances pharmacists will not be satisfied until the principles they desire to be established are embodied in the Bill.
London and Counties Medical Protection Society. The annual general meeting of this society was held at St. James’s Vestry Hall, Piccadilly, London, on June 8tb, with the Treasurer and Chairman of Council, Dr. G. A.
approving the
cooperating
with the medical
profession. also decided that the following concessions were regarded as the minimum with which they could take office under the service : (1) An income (not wage) limit of .62a week for those entitled to medical benefits ;; (2) free choice of doctor subject to consent of the doctor toattend ;(3) that the medical and maternity benefits should be administered through the local committees and not by It
was
friendly societies ; (4) adequate remuneration(5) adequate representation of the profession upon the Insurance Commissions, Advisory Committees, and the Local Health Committees ; and (6) that the method of remuneration should be decided in each district by the local profession. Windsor. of the medical men of Windsor and the surrounding district was held in the board-room of King Edward VII. Hospital, Windsor, on June 7th, 25 practitioners being present. The chair was taken by Mr. W. B. Holderness, J.P., of Windsor, and among the resolutions unanimously adopted were the following :A
meeting
1. That it is essential that patients each and all must have free choiceof their medical attendant as far as practicable. 2. That the appointment of surgeons must not be in the hands of the friendly societies. 3. That it is much to be desired that payment should be made for services rendered and not by capitation fees. 4. That in the event of payment by capitation fees being finally arranged, the fees proposed are totally inadequate, even if the distances are strictly limited. 5. That an income limit of 22 a week should be fixed for those entitled to medical benefits. 6. That this meeting is of opinion that special services, such as attendance on fractures, dislocations, &c., together with all night work, should’ receive special remuneration, and that all necessary appliances shouldbe paid for.
BRITISH MEDICAL BENEVOLENT FUND. AT the May meeting of the committee of the above fund 18 cases were considered, and grants amounting to £144. made to 14 of the applicants. Appended is an abstract of the cases relieved :Daughter, aged 61, of late F.R.C S. Has maintained herself for 35 years by nursing, but small savings have been spent in assisting relations, and she is now obliged to resign her post on account of ill-
health.
Voted 12.
Widow, aged 62, of L.F.P.S. Glasg. Quite unprovided for at husband’s death ; endeavours to support herself and a daughter in feeble health by selling swee.s on commission. Relieved three times, £48.
Voted JUIO.
Widow, aged 62, of
slight help trom a son.
on
Dependent M.R.C.S. Relieved five times, E70.
letting lodgings Voted £10.
and
instruments for and North Atlantic emigrant ships have been carefully revised by the committee and numerous alterations made. It was resolved that the best thanks of the Council be given to Mr. Dent for his services on the committee. A letter was read from Sir Henry Morris, reporting the proceedings of the General Medical Council at its recent session, and the best thanks of the Council were given to him for his services as the representative of the College on the
merchant
ships
Heron, in the chair. The National Insurance Bill was comupon by the chairman in the course of his remarks in moving the adoption of the annual report, whose gist was
I mented
-
given in THE LANCET on June 3rd. Dr. Heron said that they were all agreed that the evidence which bad accumulated now concerning the measure of national insurance was such as to make them quite clear on two points. The first was that the medical profession heartily sympathised with the principle of the Bill. He did not think there had been a General Medical Council. discordant voice anywhere in the profession with regard to the A letter was read from Dr. Mackenzie Johnston, secretary value of the principle of the Bill. He did not think there of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, enclosing a was any doubt that the medical profession was equa.lly copy of a letter on the subject of the National Insurance Bill unanimous in stating that they would not act under the Bill addressed by that College to the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer, and reporting that the following resolution was also unanimously carried :That the College remit to the Council to appoint a committee to consider the Bill, and give the Council power to take any action that may be necessary in conjunction with other corporations or otherwise.
It
was
resolved-
That Dr. Mackenzie Johnston be thanked for bis communication, and that a copy of the letter addressed by this College to the Chancellor of the Exchequer be sent to him.
ELECTION OF TOW MEMBERS OF COUNCIL. The election of two members of Council will take place at a meeting of Fellows to be held on July 6th. Mr. Dent and Mr. Makins, whose terms of office have expired, will submit themselves for re-election, and a third candidate, Mr. B. G. A. Moynihan of Leeds, is announced.
it made
stood. Unless certain material alterations were would not have anything to do with the Bill. It might become an Act of Parliament, but after that was so the Bill had to be made to work, and it could not work without. the cordial help of the medical profession. as
now
they
Birmingham. The largest meeting of local medical men probably ever held in Birmingham was that convened by the Central division of the Birmingham branch of the British MedicalIt was presided over by Mr. Association for June 2nd. Frank Marsh, and Mr. J. Neal, the representative of the branch, gave an able résumé of the proceedings of the meeting of representatives in London on the two previous days. The following resolution, proposed by Mr. Neal and seconded by Mr. A. Oakes, one of the oldest practitioners in the city,. was unanimously passed with much applause :main objects of the Bill, and being desirous for their attainment, in view of the fact that the present proposals of the Government are unsatisfactory, it is the opinion of this meeting that the Government should be asked to delay dealing with the proposed medical benefits until satisfactory terms have been arranged
That whilst
of
THE NATIONAL INSURANCE BILL. WE give below, as on previous occasions, a brief summary of some of the expressions of opinion on the Bill which have reached us. Other and similar notes will be found in the communications from special correspondents. The solidarity of the opposition of the British Medical Association to the Bill is growing. Pharmacists and the National Insurance Bill. The position of pharmacists under the proposed National Insurance Scheme, which was commented upon in THE LANCET of May 20th. has during the past few weeks been considered by special meetings in all parts of the country, at which resolutions have been passed calling upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer to make certain amendments in the Bill. The matter has also received the attention of a committee appointed by the council of the Pharmaceutical Society, and a deputation arranged by the council has waited upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Further, Mr. W. S. Glyn-Jones, M.P., the Pharmaceutical Society’s Parliamentary secretary, and Professor H. G. Greenish have, at the request of the council, paid a visit to Germany, Austria, and Italy, in which countries they have investigated the conditions governing thesupply of medicines to State insured persons and to members of sick societies and similar bodies. It is evident, therefore, that pharmacists realise the gravity of the situation and are endeavouring to avert the dangers threatened by the Bill in its present form. The principles which.,.they wish to have embodied in the Bill were explained to the Chancellor by the deputation and are as follows :(1) The dispensing of medicines for State insured persons should be done under the direct supervision of a pharmacist and no agreement for the supply of medicines should be made except with thoi-e who are entitled to carry on business as chemists; (2) the control of the pharmaceutical service should be in the hands of local health committees; (3) the remuneration should be on a scale system; (4) insured persons should have a free choice of pharmacists; (5) pharmaceutical benefits should not be extended to persons earning more than £160 a year; and (6) pharmacy should be represented on health committees or on the Advisory Committee or the Insurance Commission. The Chancellor promised to consider these points and expressed the opinion that the operation of the proposed scheme would improve the position of pharmacists. Notwithstanding these assurances pharmacists will not be satisfied until the principles they desire to be established are embodied in the Bill.
London and Counties Medical Protection Society. The annual general meeting of this society was held at St. James’s Vestry Hall, Piccadilly, London, on June 8tb, with the Treasurer and Chairman of Council, Dr. G. A.
approving the
cooperating
with the medical
profession. also decided that the following concessions were regarded as the minimum with which they could take office under the service : (1) An income (not wage) limit of .62a week for those entitled to medical benefits ;; (2) free choice of doctor subject to consent of the doctor toattend ;(3) that the medical and maternity benefits should be administered through the local committees and not by It
was
friendly societies ; (4) adequate remuneration(5) adequate representation of the profession upon the Insurance Commissions, Advisory Committees, and the Local Health Committees ; and (6) that the method of remuneration should be decided in each district by the local profession. Windsor. of the medical men of Windsor and the surrounding district was held in the board-room of King Edward VII. Hospital, Windsor, on June 7th, 25 practitioners being present. The chair was taken by Mr. W. B. Holderness, J.P., of Windsor, and among the resolutions unanimously adopted were the following :A
meeting
1. That it is essential that patients each and all must have free choiceof their medical attendant as far as practicable. 2. That the appointment of surgeons must not be in the hands of the friendly societies. 3. That it is much to be desired that payment should be made for services rendered and not by capitation fees. 4. That in the event of payment by capitation fees being finally arranged, the fees proposed are totally inadequate, even if the distances are strictly limited. 5. That an income limit of 22 a week should be fixed for those entitled to medical benefits. 6. That this meeting is of opinion that special services, such as attendance on fractures, dislocations, &c., together with all night work, should’ receive special remuneration, and that all necessary appliances shouldbe paid for.
BRITISH MEDICAL BENEVOLENT FUND. AT the May meeting of the committee of the above fund 18 cases were considered, and grants amounting to £144. made to 14 of the applicants. Appended is an abstract of the cases relieved :Daughter, aged 61, of late F.R.C S. Has maintained herself for 35 years by nursing, but small savings have been spent in assisting relations, and she is now obliged to resign her post on account of ill-
health.
Voted 12.
Widow, aged 62, of L.F.P.S. Glasg. Quite unprovided for at husband’s death ; endeavours to support herself and a daughter in feeble health by selling swee.s on commission. Relieved three times, £48.
Voted JUIO.
Widow, aged 62, of
slight help trom a son.
on
Dependent M.R.C.S. Relieved five times, E70.
letting lodgings Voted £10.
and