TAIHAPE HOSPITAL.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 261, 23 July 1915, Page 3

TAIHAPE HOSPITAL.

HOSPITAL BOARD MEETING

APPOINTMENT OF MEDICAL OFFICER

FRICTION AMONGST THE STAFF,

A DISCREDITABLE DISCUSSION,

TALK ABOUT FAIRPLAY

At the meeting of th e Waganui Hospital Board yesterday, Mr C. J. Bennett, in accordance with notice of motion, moved:

“That the resolution passed at the meeting of the 16th Jung appointing Dr. Barnett to th e post of medical officer of the Taihape Hospital be rescinded, and that Dr Boyd be appointed to the position.” Mr Bennett said h e regretted very much indeed the necessity of bringing the motion forward, but in fairness to the two doctors interested he felt compelled to do so. He wished it clearly understood that it was not a personal matter with him. His sole reason was a wish to see that the two medical men got British fair play. At the last meeting one of the members asked permission to skip the agenda paper from item No. 4 to No. 17 and five out of the eleven members present then objected. The Chairman (Mr T. Battle): No; I beg your pardon. Mr Bennett: You put it as a resolution.

The Chairman: No, I did not; there was no resolution.

‘Mr Bennett: However, the Board persisted in going on, although five members objected. UUnder the circumstances I feel justified in moving to have the resolution rescinded. I have no ax e to .grind, but what I do want is a square deal. I will wish the one who gets the position good luck, and I hope all will work for the commongood of our institution at Taihape. I do not want to open up a discussion as between the two medical men —that I will leave to the good discretion of the Board. A DISSATISFIED MEMBER.

Mr. McGregor said that it was not a personal matter with him, either, but h e wanted to se e the majority of the Board rule.

Mr. Bignell; They did rule. Mr. McGregor: By a fluke. T asked that hte matter should b e held over, but that did not suit some people. I want to have everything fair and above board.

Tb e Chairman. You are not helping th e question by accusing people of being dishonourable. Mr. McGregor: I know how these things are doner Yon should not take advantage of the absence of members. The district was disfranchised; that is th e position. I avant a straight out vote and fair play.

Mr. Bassett suggested that the Board was going the wrong Ayay to work. As the apointment had ben made, the doctor would be entitled to three months' notice.- The constitutional way would be to give three months’ notice, The anointment could not he altered until then.

Mrs. Comyus: Was it fair that Dr. Barnett should be advised of his appointment in the face of this resolution coming on? The Chairman said that until the of Hospitals had been notified and they had waited 21 days, th e apopintment did not hold. The Department had not been notified of the appointment. Mrs. Comyns: Then he is no more our medical officer than Dr. Boyd. Mr. Bassett: This thing could be kept going on for all time, and the Board would r.eer come to a decision. A STRONG LETTER.

Mr. Bigncll: Some time ago we got a letter from Dr. Boyd making charges against the Matron, and

Mr. McGregor: That’s out or oder. Mr. McGregor: I appeal to you, Mr. Chairman. You are not the chairman, Mr. McGregor.

Mr. McGregor: I don't care. I know my business as well/ as yon. Mr. Bignell: The position was that we received a strong letter making charges against the Matron and some of the nurses. A committee visited Taihape, and had both nurses and the doctors before them. We gave everybody every latitude, and with the result that the charges were not substantiated. We felt that the time had come for a change, and as a result both doctors were given three month’ notice. We then invited applications for the position. Dr Boyd may be a most clever and estimable gentleman, but 1 do know that things did not run as they should, and at the hospital there was discord and trouble. Had there been other applications for the position except these two doctors they would have been considered on their merits. Air Bennett and Air AlcGregor have insinuated dishonourable motives. I would like it put into words. Personally, I am going to vote as I like, and talk as I like. I consider that Dr Boyd got fair and honourable treatment from the first.

Mrs Siddells, referring to the previous meeting, said that Avhen the motion was put, Messrs McGregor and Whiteman were out of the room. The Chairman: It Avould not have made any difference with my casting vote.

PRESENT APPOINTMENT SUPPORTED. Dr Skerman said that he bad the interests of the Taihape Hospital' at heart. He was not going to say anything about Dr Boyd in his professional capacity. As the result of the inquiry it was decided that in the best interests of the hospital one doctor should be in charge and the only question that arose was which doctor should it be. He did not take any notice of a Ihyman’s opinion on a profession ai man's ability, but Dr Barnett hud been very highly spoken of. He believed that it would be in the best interests of the Board to support Dr. Barnett. Mr. Goldfinch said that the Board must take the responsibility for the business already done. At the last meeting he had supported Dr Boyd, but had been beaten fairly and squarely. lie did not think that the decision should be Fghtly unset. If somemembers were out of the room at the time tlq.y must accept the. responsibility.

Mr Fletcher said that he agrod with Mr. Bignell and Dr. Skerman. He had boon much disappointed at the friction which had arisen between Dr. Boyd and the staff. AN UNBECOMING EPITHET.

Mrs. Co my ns: Don't you think that all this unpleasantness was worked up on Dr Boyd’s account? At the inquiry he did not get a single fair chance. Didn't call a liar over the telephone? Mr Bignell: What do you say —that Dr Boyd did not got fair treatment ? 1 was the chairman at the inquiry.

Mrs Comyns: As fur as the Matron was concerned. Mr. Bignell: Wo gtve them every latitude to state their case.

Mr Smith said that professionally both doctors were very capable men, and the Matron was efficient, and devoted to her work. The reason for the change was to get things to go smoothly. Mr Lethbridge said that if St. Paul had been there, there would have been friction. A Member: But he was not a doctor. By seven votes to six the motion was defeated. The Chairman: The position now is that the original motion appointing Dr Barnett will remain in our minutebook.