HOSPITAL DISPENSARY.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 1918, Page 2

HOSPITAL DISPENSARY.

EMPLOYMENT OF ASSISTANTS. DISCUSSION AT HOSPITAL BOARD. At yesterday's, meeting of the Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board a discussion took place on the question of the inability of unqualified assistants in hospital dispensaries to secure registration under the, Pharmacy Act. 'fhe discussion arose from a reply to an enquiry addressed to the Department of Public Health as to whether tile Board could employ an unqualified assistant as its dispenser with a view to such, assistant being able ultimately to become a qualified dispenser. The reply was to the effect, that there was nothing to prevent the Board from emoloving an unqualified assistant,>l)ut that the tiim so served by an a: si . mill! not be recognised as a period of apprenticeship by the iPharmaey Board when tl question of examination -for registration had to be considered. The Department's letter further pointed out that the Act could be amended in the direction suggested, and also that the Pharmacy Board was in favor of such an amendment, and that the Inspector-General was doing what lie could to secure such an amendment. Mr. Sykes said that lie had had the inquirv made during the time lie was acting-chairman of the Board. His ob-' ject in, doing so was because he believed there was a real danger of there being a shortage of chemists and dispensers on account of the war- He said also there was a likelihood that higher salaries than were at presemt paid would have to be paid for chemists and dispensers and he thought that the boards should be in a position to train assistants to eventually take up work in their own institnions- It would bo a big thing for the hospitals of -New Zealand if such an amendment was made. He moved that Dr Valintine l)e thanked for what he had done in the matter and -that the Board express a wish that the amendment to the. Act be secured as soon as possible. The motion was seconded by Mr. E. AV. .T. McNeill. The chairman said lie recognised the. authority of Mr. Sykes in such a matter, but his objection was that it was an additional responsibility that would be put upon the medical staff if an unqualified assistant was appointed. If an unqualified assistant dispensed a prescription from which any serious effects resulted, 'it- would be the medical staff and not the Board which would De held responsibi He did not know what the medical st|iff thought.of such a proposal and would like to confer with' them firstMr. Sykes pointed out that when a chemist was registered under the Pharmacy Act lie' became responsible for the dispensing in his own dispensary. ]f he took on an apprentice ho was responsible for hia training, and for any dispensing he did, and the position would be the same at a hospital dispensary. He thought that if such an amendment was made it would foe possible to secure a lady assistant at the hospital dispensary. It was a profession t!i»i ladies were now taking uu. and lie thought one could be secured if the. term served could be made recognisable by the Pharmacy Board when determining tlie question of registration. He thought hospital boards should be placed in the position of being able to train' people to fill such positions on their stuffs. As (he Pharmacy Board was favorable to the amendment he thought the Board should express its wish that the amendment be made as , soon as possible. 'Mr. C. Andrews said lie understood the motion was merely the asking that the proposed amendment be made as soon as possible and he supported it cordially. Mr- Fraser said'tbat so far as asking for the nmendn> n^f ''• ' l-' 1 was concerned he supported the motionOn being put the resolution was carried unanimously.