ANSWERED!

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 23, 10 November 1944, Page 5

ANSWERED!

BOARD MEMBERS REQUEST ACCESS TO HOSPITAL Rising to ventilate some complaints which he said liacl come to his Mr H. C. McCready asked the at the Hospital Board meeting yesterday whether or not he was prepared to receive them at. the meeting. . The chairman (Mr L. Buddie) said that a Complaints Committee had already beeji set up to receive such and as they had not, been submitted through this channel he fhought the best thing was for the Board to go into committee, and consider the complaint before dealing with it in: open meeting. They should learn the nature of the case, first ! Mr McCready took strong exception to- taking the matter into com-* mittee. It was lie claimed necessary to give the question publicity. The ratepayers too objected to the board going into 'committee.' The Chairman: If there is anything wrong it is our duty to rectify it. A special committee 1 has been set up and nothing has been received by it or by the secretary; in. the nature of a complaint. The 'visiting committee' also have not heard of it. Mr Mullins: Mr McCready has never been stopped from bringing complaints forward but we should be safeguarded by hearing it in . committee first. Mr McCready: I object to going, into committee. I will have to use other mean&. The Board has no standing orders in any case. Tt can't get far like that.. Mr Mullins: I suggest we make some. Mr McCready: I suggested that long ago. I have put forward sugbut I'm always accused of ' being destructive. Now I've been put over the fence' I'll take other lines of action. I want to be given permission to go into* that hospital at any time > not on. a committee which is expected in advance. Mr Mullins: You can't do that. Its only common courtesy to the Matron and the Doctor to seek permission first ! , The Chairman: The whole control' of . the hospital is in the hands of. the Superintendent. Mr McCready: Tell me of another institution where a member has not the right to inspect at any time? The Chairman: I tell you now i} 1 would never agree to you or any other member being given the. right to march into the hospital, just whenever you wanted to. Mr McCready: That's your answer. Its what I and what I wanted. The Chairman: Well, you've, got itMr McCready: Thank you. This is democracy—more like Dictatorship.