Reference:

The CHAIRMAN then moved:— “That the hon. resident medical staff be informed that it is the express wish of the committee that the endorsement made on admission-tickets should have reference alone to the medical aspect of each case, without reference to the destitute condition of the applicant; and that they should not in any case recommend patients for admission who are not likely to receive substantial benefit from medical treatment.” He was not prepared to say precisely the number of cases admitted into the hospital without passing through the Admission Committee, but he would not be far wrong in saying that three fourths of the cases admitted never had appeared before the committee. The practice generally pursued, was, to drive the patient up to the hospital, and lodge him at the door; the cabman then drove away, and it was soon ascertained that the patient was unable to go anywhere else, and must be admitted. Medical men, in many instances, viewed the majority of cases in a charitable aspect as well as professionally. If medical men would just say whether the patient was to be received on the grounds of medical treatment or utter destitution, it would be a great benefit to the institution. More care ought to be exercised, and orders should be issued to the officers not to admit persons unless they were sent under proper authority, and unless the admission-tickets were properly endorsed.

Mr. HART seconded the motion. In the great majority of the cases which had come under his notice recently the tickets were marked "I.P." (in-patient); but when the bearers were questioned they said they did not desire to become indoor patients.

The Chairman then withdrew from the meeting, and Mr. Hart was called upon to preside.

Mr. GILLBEE believed that the resources of a patient should be looked after as well as his means. He would give a case in point. At the present time he had a man under his care suffering from fracture of the spine. He (the speaker) could do nothing for the case, and he knew the unfortunate patient to be entirely destitute of means. If he ordered the man's discharge on these grounds (which were strictly the foundation of the motion,) he would have the whole city of Melbourne hounding him for his hard-heartedness. He believed the medical and the charitable aspects of such cases could not be separated.

After some further observations from different members, the motion was put and lost.