PLAIN TALKING BY HOSPITAL BOARD

Chronicle (Levin), 22 July 1947, Page 2

PLAIN TALKING BY HOSPITAL BOARD

MINISTER REFUSES EXTRA LEAVE FOR FATHOLOGIST. The refusal of the former Minister of Health, Mr. Nordmeyer, to allow Dr. T. H. Pullar, pathologist at the Palmerston Nortli Hospital, to have an extra two iuonths' leave overseas to gain further experience, brought considerable resentment' and plain speaking at the monthly meeting of the hospital board yesterday. The managing secretary, Mr. A. J. Phillipps, told the board that Dr. Pullar had gone overseas some tiiye ago to further his studxes in England and Europe, special features of his investigations being blood-transfusion and tuberculosis. Dr. Pullar was oue of the board 's most able oilicers who had been in the board 's serviee for over ten years, and it had been his intention to visit Denniark to mahe enquiries into tlle manner of tuberculosis immunisation adopted there. Dr. Pullar had been granted four months' leave by the board but it had been necessary to apply to the Minister for the other two months, according to statute. The ietter had been sent in April to the Minister but a reply had just been received. It sliould be recognised that medical men should have experience overseas. He suggested that the board put on record its regret that the department was unable to accede to the request for extra leave for Dr. Pullar who was gaining valuable information. The department and hospitals would be the 011 es to suffer if senior medical men were not permitted to have every opportunity for overseas study, said Mr. D. S. Wylie. The refusal was not the act of a wise administrator. Even at the present time the board should be making plans to send Mr. J. H. North, medical superintendent, overseas for further experience, and .should be making plans to let him get away tvitliia the next one or two years. "It is the same old story," said Mr. J. Bovce. "S0011 we will only have to come here to sign cheques. We are just here to do as we are told. 'This is a waste of time." Mr. Wylie: Not at all. We can do some kicking. Mr. Boyce: Yes, but not against a brick wall. The chairman, Mr. J. A. Nash, intimated that he would be meeting the present Minister of Health, Miss Mabel Howard, in the near future and he said he would take the matter up at that time. It was decided to communicate with the department expressing regret at the decision.