AN EMOTIONAL OUTBURST

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 771, 18 September 1929, Page 6

AN EMOTIONAL OUTBURST

Mr. Wallace Defends Himself

INFECTIOUS DISEASES BLOCK

CONTROVERSY BECOMES WHiTE HOT IN an atmosphere of intense indignation, members of the Auckland Hospital Board yesterday afternoon forcibly expressed their resentment of Press criticism of the chairman, Mr. W. Wallace, in connection with the proposal to erect the infectious diseases block on a site below the main institution. A vote of confidence in Mr. Wallace as chairman, and endorsement of his actions in regard to the scheme, was carried, the chairman breaking down under stress of emotion. A new development is suggested, however, in a notice of motion recommending the investigation as to whether a small wooden building would serve requirements meantime.

' Scarcely had business been com- [ Xnenced before Mr. W. K. Howitt sprang the following motion on members: — In -view of the continued misrepresentation indulged in by a section of the daily Press in the matter of the infectious diseases block site, the board desires it to be publicly stated that—<1) the chairman has never exceeded the expressed policy of the board on the matter, and (2) that such policy has been carried on to its present stage with the approval of the honorary medical staff in conference with the board and the Department of Health, and further, that the board expresses its entire confidence in Mr. "Wallace as chairman. During his eight years on the board. Mr. Howitt declared, the board had pursued a steady course in its policy to provide an infectious diseases block. The scheme had been brought to a head at a conference with Dr. Watt, assistant-director-general of health, in 1905, when the latter stressed the importance of providing one bed for every 1,000 population for infectious eases. The board decided to proceed with the project, and since then had pursued a steady course, as the flies >ould show. Dr. T. H. A. Vatintine, Director-Gen-eral of Health, who had seen the developments in the Old Country during his two trips there, was a warm supporter of the proposed site; in fact, the doctor had wanted a site nearer the Domain Drive. The speaker claimed that any action taken had been by the board’s resolution, and the chairman was merely carrying out the board’s policy. “This is not a one-man show,” he declared, "and the chairman is merely the board’s mouthpiece.” Strong exception to the published remarks concerning the chairman was taken by Mr. J. D. Chalmers, in seconding the motion. He had worked with Mr. Wallace for 10 years, and had always found that the latter had carried out the board's wishes. SITE FAVOURED Mr. E. H. Potter declared that the isite selected was of sufficient, area to meet all requirements and was sufficient justification for the board proceeding with the isolation block. The present infectious diseases wards were 560 ft. from Park Road and 160 ft. from Grafton Road side. The new isolation block would be 780 ft. from Park Road and 360 ft. from Grafton Road boundary. The new three-storey block would provide accommodation tar 61 patients and the five storeys would provide for 128 patients. The close relation to the pathological and X-ray departments and presence of leading doctors were advantages that could not be over-estimated. Twice during the reading of his statement Mr. Potter was pulled up by the chairman on the ground that his statements were irrelevant. “You are being shown as promoting a policy that is not being supported by the board,” replied Mr. Potter. “You stated what the policy would be and therefore if the Press is misleading the public, I thought it was lair to say so.” The Rev. W. C. Wood: It is unfortunate to refer to it as the chairman's policy. The Chairman: It is not my policy. The Rev. Mr. Wood: It is a mistake the Press is making, and I did not want you to follow such a bad example. Mr. Potter supported the motion on the ground that there was a reflection on the chairman. Complete confidence in the chairman was e:.pressed by Mr J. Rowe, in supporting the motion. DR. GUNSON’S WARNING l>r. E. B. Gunson said he would not like to make any statements reflecting on the chairman. He impressed on members that the majority of medical opinion throughout the City was opposed to placing the infectious diseases block on the site proposed, and included among these medical men he knew as a fact there was an appreciable number of the honorary staff, and he claimed the board could not disregard this fact. Why there should be a number of the honorary staff opposed to the project he could not explain or understand. Mr. J. Dempsey said that so far he bad heard very little criticism. There was nothing to say that medical men were against the plan. He had not beard anything from either the board or the public. Mr. M. J. Savage maintained that the proposed building was really an isolation hospital, which, he understood from medical men, was part and parcel of every, hospital in the world. Due largely to a confusion arising from the term “infectious diseases hospital” the board was getting into difficulties w-ith its opponents. “It is a pity that people write and speak without facts." he asserted.” He knew men from the honorary staff to the Director-General of Health, who said that the site was the best one, and he was satisfied to go on with the project to place the building in the hospital grounds. With an infectious diseases hospital, to meet such an epidemic as in 191 S, the board might be able to put something before them lor the purpose. REFLECTION ON PROFESSION The Rev. W. C. Wood remarked that the site having been decided, no doubt the infectious diseases block would be erected there. He had assumed. however, that the issue would have been settled when tenders for the building were received. He at

first thought it strange to erect the block in the grounds of the main hospital, hut when he became acquainted with the details of the scheme he changed his views. If the building was to be art isolated block, as he conceived it, Dr. E. B. Gunson stated that there would be no opposition from him or any other member of the medical profession, as he believed that it would force the board to seek a site farther out for the infectious diseases hospital. The isolation block could be attached to the main hospital, where cases could be sent until developments set in and were diagnosed, from whence patients could be transferred to the infectious hospital. The proposed building was designed to deal with all infectious cases in Auckland. An isolation block, equipped with between 20 and 30 beds, was needed in any case, he said, and would have to be provided. The honorary staff had repeatedly asked' for an isolation block. He and others were of the same opinion opposing the proposed site of the Infectious diseases building, not because of the danger of people outside being infected, but because of the, serious difficulties of administration Qf the hospital near the main institution, which had extended greatly. Claiming that Dr. Gunson had confused the issue, and had condemned the action of those in authority, Mr. Howitt, in reply, asked, “Where on earth the doctor’s explanation would lead the board?” A vote was then taken, the motion being declared carried unanimously. Mr. Harbutt then moved: That with a view to investigating whether the building of a small wooden building similar to those now in use solely for the purposes of observation would bo serviceable, pending such time as the building of an independent infectious hospital becomes necessary, further action be deferred. The chairman, however, ruled that notice of motion was necessary, and Mr. Harbutt gave notice of intention to move the resolution at the next meeting. Expressing pleasure at the carrying of the resolution, Mr. Wallace stated it seemed to him that an unscrupulous attack had been made on him personally, but he did not know whether there was malice behind it. Dealing with the proposed building from a financial standpoint, he said that when the scheme was taken in hand, the board had raised £250,000 on ten-year debentures, but the loan would liquidate in 1935. Before he came on to the board, and since, Dr. Maguire had been clamouring for proper means of isolation of infectious cases, as cases of cross infection with the main hospital were occurring daily. He emphasised that the board was not building an infectious hospital in the hospital grounds. It had been there for 30 years. The board was providing an isolation block to accommodate more infectious cases on the same site. He asserted that be had had the Minister of Health inspect another site before the present one was chosen. It had never been his intention to establish a large infectious hospital. The plans for the infectious block provided for five’ separate units, and every precaution had been taken to prevent cross infection. CHAIRMAN BREAKS DOWN "It is extraordinary,” Mr. Wallace said, “that I am informed by a member of the honorary staff, that at a meeting the staff unanimously confirmed the board's proposals. I have no axe to grind, it is for the board to decide where the hospital is to be. To say it was I is a damnable falsehood and a stigma lam not going to remain under for any paper in New Zealand,” declared Mr. Wallace, passionately banging the desk. Visibly showing signs of amotion, Mr. Wallace paused for some time, and then went on, brokenly, “It is not I who is suffering—it is my wife and family.” Continuing, he reiterated his gratification that the resolution had been passed, and added that the board had nothing to fear.