HOSPITAL STAFFING

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2083, 18 May 1907, Page 2

HOSPITAL STAFFING

THE AIEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT.

At the meeting of the Hospital Trustees yesterday afternoon tl euestion of medical assistance at tlio hospital was thoroughly considered. The Secretary submitted a- report showing that il a medical superintendent was appointed the cost would bo £625 per year. If a house surgeon were appointed tho cost would be the matter of appointing a medical superintendent, came on tor consideration is was decided that both nentlomen whose names naff been previously held over for further information should be informed, that neither would bo appointed. All- AlacDonald said that to Ins milid the Hospital had been ill an unsatisfactory state for. tho past six months-, and the sooner it was put on a better footing the better it would be for everybody concerned. He liatl considered the whole question and lie had no reason to alter lus original opinion that a house surgeon and an honorary staff' was the most workable and satisfactory system. He moved that a houso surgeon at a salary of £l5O per annum be appointed, that ■in honorary staff of not more than four he appointed and that the Chairman and Alcssrs. Bright and Dewing be a sub-committee to carry this into effect. T . Air. 'Kenway seconded. rle said that if something were not done soon tlio public would become more and more dissatisfied. The proposed system compared with other proposed systems would be the most economical and there were a good body of medical men for the honorary staff. Air. Dewing said ho agreed with the proposition, but thought the salary of the house surgeon should ho at' least £2OO. He thought the honorary staff was a good idea. . People liked to be able to have what doctor they fancied instead of being confined to the superintendent of the Hospital. He was of opinion that the honorary staff would ensure that the Hospital would he worked smoothly. Air. ' Bright questioned if the preposition could be considered in view of the .minute on the books relating to the. matter. The Chairman said that all demanded by that resolution had been done, and that tlio proposition was quite in order. Air. Tuoliy asked if a honorary staff could be got in Gisborne. Tlio -Chairman -thought- it— was-pre-niaturo to consider the matter. It would hardly do to appoint the doctors before the principle of having ail honorary staff was affirmed. He asked Air. MacDonald if he had any special reason for limiting the honorary staff to four ? ,Mr. AlacDonald said that the Trustees could have two, three or four as desired. Air. Dewing said the number on the staff should be allowed to remain oxien. He thought that the. doctors of the town would work in with tho Ti ustces.

Mr. Kenway said that appointing the honorary staff was a very personal matter and it might bo well to limit, the number.

Mr. Matthews proposed an amendment 1 He. thought it was unfair to call upon professional men to work for nothing. IF an. honorary staff wore appointed it would most likely .be that the staff would attend,, to their own business, and the Hospital would suffer. There were only two unqualified assents to act oil the honorary staff. AVliat was specially needed at the Hospital was a skilled surgeon. AVliere life and death was concerned a hundred pounds or even two should not be considered. It was wrong to allow economy to affect efficiency in such matters. Both the doctors who had assented were very skilled and he thought both should at once he appointed. Air. Dewing said tho two doctors mentioned would work just as well if there was a house surgeon at the Hospital. Air. Bright said that except for its very serious side the position had a very humorous aspect. The Hospital Trustees were the most vacillating bodv be had bad anything to do with. In February a bouse surgeon was vetoed and it was decided to got a man as superintendent with some nractico. Now the Trustees seemed to he going, to do what they objected to in February. Ho would greatly prefer, if tlio motion regarding a medical superintendent were gone back oil, that Drs. Williams and Scott be appointed as recommended. On the suggestion of the Chairman Mr. AlacDonald agreed not to limit the number of the honorary staff. The Chairman said that in other places of the size of Gisborne the proposed system was in vogue. More particularly it seemed necessary to -lo ’something. The Trustees should now decide on the best' course and approve of it; Mr. Matthews’ amendment couldl not be taken as such though'it could bo brought up if Air. AlacDonald’s motion wore lost.

Air. Tuoliy said lie had opposed the system previously and opposed it still.

Air. Slierratt said he was in favor of a house surgeon and an honorary staff. It would ho necessary to double the proposed salary to get a good man to take charge of the Hospital. Air. Kenway said it was playing with words to object to take Air. Matthews’, motion as an amendment. The Chairman still declined to take the amendment. The motion was carried, Alessvs. Bright, Tuoliy and Matthews voting against, it.