THE STRATFORD HOSPITAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 62, 17 June 1916, Page 5

THE STRATFORD HOSPITAL.

ATTACK ON ITS ADMINISTRATION ASSLhTIUNS BY OR. FACET.

MR J. MCALLISTER MAKES A STATEMENT.

A strongly-worded letter lias been received from Dr. Paget, casting grave reflections on the Stratford District Hospital administration. Tito matters referred to therein are of considerable public interest, and in consequence, the Chairman of the Board, Mr J. McAllister, lias been given .the opportunity, and hits availed himself of it, to make a statement as to the Board’s position. The letter and statement, are as follows : LETTER FROM DR. PAGET. (To the Editor—“ Stratford Evening Post.”)

S;r,—-1 much regret having to bring to the notice of the ratepayers and general public the action of the Hospital Board, but as 1 interviewed them in committee on Tuesday last and they have done nothing to remedy the existing condition of things, 1 deem it my duty to do what f can. Since Dr. Steven’s absence on sick leave, the Stratford Hospital has been closed for major operations—no matter what the urgency of the case. Three patients have had to be refused treatment be-

cause the Board have neglected to make provision for operative work. I have offered to arrange with the Board to do that work, and they have nostnoned their decision for a month! On Saturday, June 3rd. a returned soldier, a resident of Stratford, was sent me hv the Medical Board in Mew Plymouth for treatment in Dm Stratford Hospital. He was ill and in great pc in, and required an immediate operation of a serious nature. 7'bere was plenty of room in the Public Hosnital, hut I mas not allowed to a’teml anv eases there. Mv own private hospital was full, and patients "■aitine for admission, but I was forced to ask a paDm* not quite recovered to go out a’ 1 -] finish his treatment at a friend’* bouse, postpone tor a fortnight the admission of another patient. and fak■his man into mv private hospital and keep and treat him there at my own expense, including the payment of foes to an anaesthetist. The payment and cost to me I neither grudge nor regret, and any opportunity to do gratuitously what I can to relieve the suffering or restore to health any of those who have given up so much and suffered so much for those of us who cannot go to the front, I gladly welcome; but I do contend that it is unfair that my patients should be seriously inconvenienced, as well as myself, because the Chairman of the Hospital Board is too dilatory, too pig-headed, and too wanting in common-sense,to make adequate arrangements for the treatment of right and proper cases in the Public Hospital. I feel strongly, and I speak strongly upon this matter, hut, again I say, had the Board remedied the condition of things I would not have brought to the notice of the public what would, and should, have been remedied by the Board. These “Hospital Scandals” should not occur and need not occur, but I have done my utmost with the Board to get the conditions above-mentioned remedied, and I can get the Board to do nothing. Possibly the ratepayers and public opinion may succeed where I have failed.—l am, etc., T. L. PAGET. STATEMENT BY MR J. MCALLISTER.

Mr J. McAllister, Chairman of the Hospital Board, slates : iue Hospital is not closed for major operations, Provision lias been made tor operative work. .No patients whatever nave oeen refused admittance, the decision of too Board was not postponed lor a month,;but was arrived at on Friday, June 16th—yesterday afternoon in tact. No communication iias Oeen received front the Medical Board in New Plymouth regarding the returned soldier mentioned oy Hr. Paget. Neither the soldier nor las friends have applied for his admission. It Inis been the settled policy ot the Board not to permit any medical practitioner, other than the .Superintendent or his accredited substitute to take cnarge of cases in the Hospital, it having oeen round unworkaole to ao so. i'ne Hospital is now in charge of Hr. Wooclhouse, who, in accordance witii By-law a oi the Hospital By-laws, was appointed by the Medical superintendout to act as his substitute whilst he is absent. Dr. \voodhouse has the lull confidence of the Medical Superintendent, the Inspector-General of Hospitals, and of the Stratiord Hospital Board. BY-LAW No. 3. By-law No.'3, of the By-laws for Regulating the Management of the Stratiord District Hospital above referred to, reads as follows;—“(3). He (the Meuical Superintendent) shall visit the wards once daily, and ofteuer it necessary for the weltarc of the patients, and, in case of unavoidable absence, shall provide an efficient substitute to the satislactiou of the Board.” This, the Board maintains, has been carried out in letter and ui spirit.

STRATFORD HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD. [To Thk Edviob Post.) Sir, —L am instructed to inform you that tin* Board lias passed a resolution of thanks and appreciation o) Dr. Paget's services at the Hospital during the illness of the .Medical Superintendent. The Board would be glad il you would make this public, tours obediently. T. BARRY PENN, Secretary,