THE HOSPITAL MEDICAL STAFF.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8558, 18 October 1907, Page 4

THE HOSPITAL MEDICAL STAFF.

Both the action and the decision of the Trustees of the Masterton Hospital in dealing with the application of Drs. Cook and Cowie to be appointed to the active medical staff of the Hospital are of an unfortunate character. The decision arrived at is certainly not pleasing to a very large section of the public, whib the action of the Trustees in considering the application in committee is one that must be condemned. The Trustees resolved to go into committee upon the casting vote of the Chairman (Mr A. W. Hogg, M.H.R.), and we are of opinion that the meitber for the district would have exercised his power better as Chairman if he had decided that the Trustees should consider the application in open meeting. An open meeting would have allowed the representatives of the Press to acquaint the public with the views of the Trustees upon the question, and surely the public huve a right to know the innermost thoughts of the Trustees in regard to the management of the Hospital? The Trustees have shelved the real issue, and are simply storing up trouble for themselves thereby. They should, in our opinion, either appoint tho four medical practitioners at present in Masterton to the ac.tive medical staff of the Hospital, or appoint a resident dactor. If the latter course cannot be entertained on the ground of the expense being too great, then it is only fair to give a reasonable trial to the arrangement advocated by Drs. Cook and Cowie.