CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 39, 15 January 1946, Page 5

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

CONDITIONS AT HOSPITAL ANSWER TO ALLEGATIONS AVhcn the letter appearing in our correspondence column today was submitted to Mr J. Mullins Chair* man of the Whakatane Hospital

Board for reply lie stated definitely that lie was not interested in letters to the press written over a nom-de-plumc and for that reason did not intend to reply to the writer personally. However in view of the nature of the allegations he was 'prepared to make a public statement on the affairs of the hospital for the purpose of general information only. Mr Mullins statement reads as under:—

With regard to the alleged threat of the Sisters to resign cn masse, these Sisters did in fact, under a misapprehension as to the Board’s intentions with regard to the adop* tion of the new salary scale and for tin’s reason only, tender their resignations. However, on tile same day, when the position Avas explained to them all such resignations '9 with withdrawn. One of the steam boilers, as the result of a recent inspection has been put under reduced pressure and tlie inspector lias instructed that it must be replaced within six months. To meet tlie position the Consulting Engineer to the Department of Health has put forward proposals keeping in view the necessity of provision for future expansion. The estimate for the carrying out of these, proposals in full is approximately £12,000. He has however, suggested an alternative proposal at an estimated cost of £2300'. This report and all aspects of the matter will be fully dealt with at the meeting of the‘.Board on Thursday next.

It has been suggested that Board members elected under pledges are not honouring those pledges. This is (pute. contrary to fact. The difficult task of carrying on without increased capital expenditure is being •carried out to the best of the Board’s ability, and is restricting its activities considerably in the matter of providing better accommodation and facilities for the stalf. It may not be generally known that the Hospital Board was the first to move in an endeavour to effect savings in rates to the ratepayers, by approaching the County Council last March suggesting an investigation into the savings to be. effected by ehanging the boundary of the Galatea riding, thereby ..reducing the Board’s expenditure by over £2OOO