Thames Goldfields Hospital.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2879, 8 May 1878, Page 2

Thames Goldfields Hospital.

A special meeting, for the purpose of considering the advisability, or otherwise of altering the rules, was held, at the Salutation Hotel this afternoon at 3 o'clock. There were present —Mr Prater (President), ;. Mr McCullough (VicePresident), the Kievs, V. Lush, Father Cl astagnon, J. T. Hintoo, Messrs MeIlhone, Mulligan, Davies, Power,, Renshaw, Murray, Gudgeon, and Hicks The President, after referring to tbe object of the mooting, called on anyone to make a resolution who thought fit;.

Mr McCullough cuid thut as be had introduced the question, he wouM make a resolution. He moved that rule 19 read as follows:—" The Resident House Surgeon sbr.il be a duly qualified medical piactitionei 1, who shall not be absent for any len-;thenrd period without the permission of the General Committee. He shall not be allowed ioenq^e in private practico." He said that this was noi the first time the question bad been brought before the Committee, and he not use sonre of the arguments u:?ed previously. Here accidents' were very frequent and ibey hrd of en "found that they could, not get a surg -»n. A surgeon should be always preset. He instanced the fact yesterday, when a man was brought to the Hospital and no doc'or ould be nrocur d, as Dr O'Flaberly-wpg away at Shellback, e^d Dr Payne would not attend. There had also been great complaints that oae visit a day from a medical man was not enough. Then they had always found that there were little animosities and jealousirf amongst the medical profession, as (he docior wbo was appointed lo the Hospital h»d an advpnfage over the others through having priva'e practice. Tiie speaker refeirri -q-\ Dr Trousseau's^ opinion on the matter. He said that the appointment of a resident srrgeoa had been objected o because of the cost, but they must bear in mind that the Borough md County would have to bear the deficiency between their revenue and expenditure. He again urged the necessity of haying a doctor always at hand in case of accident. Rule 20 would also have.to be allered.

Mr Gudgeon ceconded. He reminded the commi tee that as the change of rules would entail expense, an rl the Borough wanted a yoice in the committee, which would alco require a change, so it would be we'l (o have both done at once.

• Tlie President r: ad the letter from the Eorouf;h Council re The maintenance of the Hospital. He said he did juot think they could take any defiuile action re the letter. They did not know what the County were going lo do. Mr Kenshaw moved—That ,on the local bodrs guaranteeing the whole of the deficieacies, this oommifctca are willing fo have rejre entiivci on the commi'.tee from the Borough and Coun(y Councils. .Mr McCullough s:.id tbat tbe local L dies were bou id to make up the deficiency. Mr lletisbaw pointed out that with the bodies paying the deScienwes they would uever be leit wi h a b ?an ?*..'.

Aiter further d'jeussion, tbe consideration of Mr McCullough's mbiion was reti mcd to.

Mr Davies nrovrd that tbe rule regain as at present. He slid he did think the llo.«piial was in a posi.ion- to maintain a docior tl>ere right and day. He did not tl;I~>k luat they could get a properly qualified med'.rul man for the money they could j,ive, even taking the surgeon's and dispenser's salaries. It was only JaSely that they had had a want of medical men here, and he did not think the Hospital had ever suffered for want of a medicul man. Their pr3sent dispenser" was almost as good as a doctor— as good as one in many instances. There was no analogy between the Thames and a large hospital having, perhaps, 209 or 303 beds.

[Left Sitting.]