HOSPITAL TROUBLE

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 217, 7 August 1939, Page 2

HOSPITAL TROUBLE

NURSING STAFF RESIGNS SIMILAR ACTION FT SUPERINT UNDENT AND MATRON Tlie monthly meeting of the Opotiki Hospital Board was held on Friday ■ afternoon in the Labour Rooms. Present: Messrs. S. Maxwell, G. J. Neilson, S. Shalloon. C. D. Brown. If’. .J. Paigent. G. S. Moody'and J. R. Clark. The medical superintendent (Dr. H. J. Mail and the secretary, Mr. J. A. T. Henry were also in attendance. Tiie minutes of the previous monthly mooting and of special meetings wen: confirmed, after a. lengthy argument between Messrs. Baigent anil Neilson in connection with an alleged, statement by Mr. Neilson. When the minutes had been confirmed. Mr. Noilson handed over a paper with the remark he had actually made and Mr. Baigent agreed it was correct. The Cook Hospital Hoard stating that it was endeavouring to co-operate witli tlie Opotiki Hoard in connection with the admission of patients to Hie Opotiki hospital Irom the Mot u hora district.

Mr. Hislop again wrote re the nurse’s home at Te Kalia- and stated that the owner, who was having to live in a tent was desirous of obtaining possession.—The secretary was asked to report to the hoard; on the position. The secretary of the Bay of Plenty Heard wrote in connection with information sought of the plan under operation in the Whakatanc district dealing with the services of the district nurses. Hospital Farm.—The farm manager. Mr. Mannix. forwarded several returns in connection with the hospital farm. Reports.—The usual monthly reports from the matron and superiutuukmt were “received”. Outside Patients.—The chairman moved that those in charge of the hospital immediately forward particulars of patients of outside districts to the secretary immediately on admission to hospital. Seconded and carried. Resignations Received A letter was received from the medical superintendent, Dr. Mail, announcing 1 1 is resignation.—Received. The matron. Miss L. McLean, also forwardlod her resignation. She expressed her amazement at the board's action and said that she was resigning under protest. Miss McLean stated that she would probably ask for a public inquiry.—Received.

The chairman stated that in view of the other letter lie thought- it would be advisable for the superinendent to take three months’ leave of absence. Dealing with suggestions about a public inquiry, the chairman snidi that. J)r. Shaw came to Opotiki in November and made certain recommendations. The trouble at the hospital, was due to non-cooperation. That gave several .months to get over the difficulties. I)rs. Alail, Brass and thematron accepted certain -conditions. That did not get over the difficulty and the position became worse. Ihe Inspector of Hospitals. Dr. Shaw, did not ciinic to Opotiki on liis last visit at the request of the Board. That was a week or two ago.' Dr. Shaw was on his way to AYhangarei and received a wire at Napier to come to Opotiki to investigate trouble at Opotiki due to the resignation of the nurses. l)r_ Shaw saw the chairman (the speaker) and also went to the secretary with tlui letter. Air. Maxwell concluded', by stating that the next thing they liad to do was to advertise the positions of matron and superintendent.

ALossrs. Clark and Baigent- both objected to the superintendent taking; three months’ leave of absence. Alr_ Clarke said Dr. Alail’s patients had to be considered. Alessrs. Neilson and Slialfoon snidr that the harmonious working of thehospital had to be considered. • The board decided to call applications for the positions of matron and superintendent in the papers in thefour main centres. It was stated that the superintendent’, s salary would lie £"150 annually plus private practice. On the motion of Air. Neilson. seconded by Air. Slialfoon, the matron’s salary fixed at £2OO. Dr. Alail asked! what, the position" would be concerning the position ol his private patients. Air. Clark contended it would bomost unfair to deprive Dr. Alail of the right to tfeat his own patients in hospital. Alter further discussion. Air. Clark

■saic! that northing had ever liven produced to substantiate ilie statements made in the letter from the nurses. He asked the clvairinuii if he would he prepared to publish the letter. Thu chairman; I’m not opposing tlii.’ publication of anything. Mr. Clark contended that the evidence had not been produced before the board. lie moved that all the property of the board be handed over to the secretary, including letters appertaining to the inquiry held in November. • Seconded and carried. .Mr. Shalloon said he wanted to know if the superintendent was going new. The matron had gone. Mr. Ilaigent moved that Dr. Mail woi’k out Jti.s leave of absence. Tlio motion was lost. .Mr. Baigent : I take it that Dr. Mail is relieved from Ids position. The chairman : Yes. A question was asked as to the charge to he made for operations undertaken bv Dr. Mail.

The chairman replied that Dr. Mail * would have ten he paid, privately. When a patient, entered tin l hospital now 'they became hospital patients. The chairman said that Dr. A. .1. Uraks was now the aeting-suporin-tenofyii-t. ccnumilf.ee was appointed to eemsider applications for the positicus rendered vacant by the resignations of the nursing staff.