HONORARY STAFF.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 117, 16 April 1940, Page 8

HONORARY STAFF.

TRIBUTE TAID TO AVORK. GATHERING AT HOSPITAL. The work of the honorary staff for tlio Palmerston North Hospital was praised, yesterday, when members of the staff were met by the members of the board and hospital officials at morning tea. At the last meeting of the board it was decided to replace the honorary staff by a. part-time paid staff, and it was in order to recognise tlio services of the honorary staff that the function was held this morning. Alembers of the honorary staff present were Dr P. T. Putnam, Dr AV. S. V. Bansgrovc, Dr F. AVard, Mr 1). S. Mitchell, F.R.G'.S., and Air J. S. Hornblow, dentist. The chairman of the Hospital Board (Air J. A. Nash) apologised for the absence of other members of the honorary staff who could not attend. Dr Putnam, he said, was the senior member of the honorary staff and everyone knew the great amount of work lie had done and how he was wrapped up in tlio welfare of the Hospital. Dr AVard, who was also present, was a former superintendent who had held that position for about seven years. The work of the honorary staff had always kept the Palmerston North Hospital up to a high standard. The Hospital was becoming evcrcrowded. and there was a large waiting list. The building programme had been held up, but was now beginning to show somo progress. It was hoped that before long the isolation hospital would be erected.. This to a great extent would give relief to the Hospital and enable more patients to come in. The additions at the Awapuni Home would also give further relief. The new scheme of medical staffing might at first he a little confusing, but it would ho of interest to see how it worked. The board had incorporated in the conditions that it would, have the right to reconsider the position at the end of 12 months. Alterations in tlic scheme, however, were not anticipated, unless they were in the nature of improvements. In all matters the hoard would be guided by the medical superintendent. The speaker concluded with a tribute to the work of the honorary staff.

Mr G. A. Monk, on behalf of the country members .of the board, endorsed Air Nash’s remarks. He said that two things had struck him forcibly since lie had been a member of the board—the loyalty of tlic women of the nursing profession and the great service given in an honorary capacity by tlio doctors. He expressed the hoard’s appreciation of those who had given such service. Dr Putnam said lie had been a member of the honorary staff for many years, much longer than most members had belonged to tho hoard. He expressed the hope that the relations of the hoard and the staff would continue as harmoniously as in the past. Air Mitchell, for the younger members of the honorary staff, said lie had been associated with the hospital for tlic last seven years, and was expressing the views of the younger members of tho staff when he said that they had enjoyed their association with the Hospital to the full. The gathering concluded with a vote of thanks to the matron (Miss L. AI. Banks) for providing morning tea.