Evening star., 1947-08-15
Farley 10 Press
Hospital Survey
Reforms Slated
D. c. Medical, Civic
Leaders to Confer in
October on GooIs
By Thomos 6. Buchonon

By Thomos 6. Buehonon
Medical and civic leaders will con-
fer here early in October to press
for more rapid adoption of the
health reforms advocated in last
years Metropolitan Health and
Hospital Survey.
Plans for the conference were
revealed yesterday by doctors affili-
ated with the Physicians Forum,
one Of the sponsors Of the meeting.
Every official and voluntary health
agency, as well as many civic or
ganizations interested in the local
health scene, will be invited to send
representatives.
The survey was undertaken two
years ago by a group Of medical ex-
perts from other sections of the
country, at the request of the WASH
ington Metropolitan Health Coun-
Gil, in an effort to pick out health
problems urgently in need of atten-
ton here and to set up long-range
program to make Washington .
healthier city.
Some Actions Taken.
Since the survey staff announced
its findings in the spring and sum-
mer Of 1916, favorable action has
been taken on some Of the survey
recommendations by the agencies
concerned.
Most important of these has been
the establishment of Hospital
Council, which has undertaken the
job Of co-ordinating procedures in
the hospitals of the Metropolitan
Area. Congress, meanwhile, has
passed the Tydings bill authorizing
the construction of a large new
hospital center, as urged in the
survey.
Many Of the survey recommends
tions, however, remain on paper.
Less than half Of the suggestions Of
the outside experts have even been
analyzed and approved by the
Health Councils own Survey Com
mittee, although all of them are now
in process Of study by that group or
its subcommittee.
Outlined Gallinger Program.
recommendations of the survey
on which little or no action has yet
been taken include:
/. That additional funds be pro-
vided for the physical reconstruc-
ton of Gallinger Hospital. Some
funds are available on paper, but
actual construction is blocked by
current construction costs.
2. That substantial increases be
granted Gallinger's nursing and
medical social service staff. The
last session of Congress actually re-
duced the number of positions
authorized.
3. That wards at Gallinger allot-
ted to Negro patients be made avail
able for the training and experience
of Negro medical students, internes
and physicians. District Comnis-
sioners have turned down repeated
petitions by the Medico- Chirurgical
Society and other Negro and medical
groups for a reversal Of this policy.
4. That hospital admission service
should be decentralized among indi-
vidual hospitals. The Health Coun-
Gil backed the Health Security Ad-
ministration's present role as inter-
mediary between the hospitals and
their INDECENT patients.
S. That special legislation be OBJ
tanned to permit the Commissioners
to regulate standards of medical
care at convalescent and nursing
homes. The Health Department is
now engaged in drawing up sug-
gested changes in the licensing laws.
6. That the Community Chest
Federation be urged to undertake
a special $15,000,0o0 campaign to
supplement public funds in the
physical reconstruction Of hospital
facilities here. Individual hospitals
have conducted drives, but no single
hospital campaign has been under
taken.
Organizations which already have
indicated an interest in speeding
action on some or all these pro-
posals and which are expected to
participate in the conference in Oc-
tober, include the Southern Confer
ence for Human Welfare, the Medi.
CO. Chirurgical Society, the Ameri-
can Veterans Committee, various
labor organizations and the Physi-
clans Forum.
Among the most active individ-
uals interested in calling a confer
ence to discuss the problem Is DR..
Paul Cornely, chairman Of the
Health Committee Of the local chap
ter of the Southern Conference. He
arranged a meeting of some of the
organizations this spring, at which
tentative plans for the fall confer
ence were agreed upon.
Medical leaders hope to have as
their guest speaker at the confer
ence DR.. Claude w. Munger or DR..
c. E. "A. Winslow, who headed the
survey staff.
Conferees seek to speed action on
some Of the proposals by focusing
public attention on the Gity's most
urgent health needs.
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