CORRESPONDENCE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2819, 6 April 1882, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

[TO the editor.] Sir,— For the purpose of obtaining publicity, will you kindly insert the enclosed correspondence between myself and the Hospital Commissioners—l am, &0., “S. Hammond.” . [copies.] “Timaru, March 2nd, 1882, “To the Commissioners Timaru Hospital, “ Gentlemen,— l beg to call the attention of your Committee to the anomalous position held by the medical staff of the, Timaru Hospital. “ The existing system, through the conrtsey of the first and second medical residents, worked well, but latterly the appointment by your Committee has been virtually a dead letter, owing .to the fact that it is in the power of the Besident Surgeon tp ignore the existence' of a staff

“I would therefore ask you to officially recognise, us, the medical practitioners of Timaru, as Honorary Medical Staff of theTimaru Hospital, in order that our privileges’ as such, viz., the recurring weeks for attendance, &0., should be| part of the appointed medical and surgical routine of the Institution. “ I would respectfully submit that I believe that such an arrangement will be carrying out your views in your appointment of a staff, and will render! such appointment efficient—l am &c., “ S. Hammond.”

“Suggestions for rules and regulations for the Visitidg Medical and Surgical Staff, Timaru Hospital:— “ 1. —The Resident has the whole responsibility of the executive and other departments of the Hospital. “ll.—The Visiting Staff to attend during their respective weeks at the hours to be named by the Commissioners, and to be at such hours in the morning, not to interfere with the duties of the Resident Surgeon and'the comfort of the patients. “ lII.—All visiting by the staff of their respective cases (except in emergencies) to be finished by 12 noon, the. wards to be left quiet and in the sole charge of the Resident' Surgeon, who is to see all the suggestions of the Visiting Surgeon and Staff satisfactorily carried out, “IV.—The Visiting Surgeons to be amenable to the Commissioners for the due attendance, &c., on their part:_ , “V.—The names of the Visiting Staff to be left in the hands of the Commissioners, and the weeks, when arranged, for their approval and sanction. “ Vl.—The staff at present consisting of the following medical practitioners: — P. Mclntyre, M.8.M.C., Glasgow ; S. Hammond, L.R.C.P.E., M.R.C.S., L.S.A., London ; J. P. Lovegrove, M.R.C.S., L.S.A., London; E.B. Hogg, M.R.C.S., L.S.A., London, Resident Medical Officer for the time being.’’

“ Timaru Hospital. April 4th, 1882. “ S. Hammond, Esq., MM). “ Sir, —I have the honor to hand you herewith a copy of a resolution passed by the Commissioners at a meeting held this day, viz : —That the Commissioners look upon the Eesident Surgeon as responsible to them for the welfare of the Hospital and patients, and they are willing to agree to any arrangement made by the Eesident Surgeon with the local medical gentlemen as to assisting or visiting at the Hospital, but they decline adopting any suggestions made by an outside practit .er, unless recommended by the Ees ont Surgeo- and sanctioned by the ( «m----missior “ I have the honor, etc., “ Thomas Jowsey, “ Secretary Hospital Commissioners.”