THE MASTERTON HOSPITAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 14 August 1913, Page 5

THE MASTERTON HOSPITAL.

JLS ALLEGED "TROUBLE."* - * MATRON CALLS FOE AN IN- | QUIRY. NEWSPAPER PUBLICATION RESENTED. At the meeting of the Central Committee of the Wairarapa Hospital and Charitable Aid Board 4» Monday last, the resignations of Nulrse Whitta and Sister Dunldfefc of the Masterton Hospital, were received. A sub-committee was ae% up to meet the matron and medical superintendent, and bring dow>n a, report to the next meeting. The subject came up for discussion at yesterday's meetimg of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, wh«n a communication was received from the matron on the subject. • Mr H. C. Robinson, solicitor, mp--peared before the Board, and asketl that the matron's letter he withheld, until an inquiry was held. 1 Mr W. Fisher, chairman of tit® Hospital Committee, explained that there was no difficulty over the staff. The nurse was a probationer, had received her certificate, and had qualified for a hotter position. The sister was an English nurse, and was not acquainted with the conditions in tltai Dominion. This was all the trouble. The Board decided that it cobMT not accede to Mr Robinson? s requestto hold over the matron's letter; The letter .was read as follows:-—► /.*"V "Masterton, Augnst'l2.' - "To WairarapaEfiOspital Board.—Sir, —l see in tonight's paper, - mi article called. < Fop» ther trouble at the Masterton Has* pital.' As I am quite unaware of any such trouble existing, or having \ existed for' some ten months or K). 1 would respectfully ask the Board to urge the committee that I am informed by the Daily Times is eeV up to inquire into the alleged trow- - ble, to conduct the inquiry a« sooa as possible. The sister in question came from a large Home infirmary, and has not been: asked to do any duty that she would not be required to do lit a, hospital of this sii» in the Dominion. The. nurse, tfho is leaving, has just completed hertraining and got her certificate, and is leaving to take a holiday befor» taking: up her duties in one of Hie St Helens Hospitals, where' she. hopes to qualify in another branch of the . profession. _ She willingly stayed on at my): request in Gre>ytown, until ; next week, when another nurse relieves her. I would also like to ask the Board why things that happen* or are alleged by the above paper to happen,, in committee, are published in the paper, and ask the Board personally to defend their Superi&- , tendent matron from, the freqtieDt uncalled-for attacks -. made upon me bv-the above paper, when eueh statements are without foundation. I would also like to ask tha .Board if they are aware of the fact that in a training school for nurses, the trainees are expected to leave on completion of their training, unless especially asked to stay on to fill somo post by the matron in charge, but at present , inor-t of the trainees itl all TM-nfo,.' ,«- y.v«;• ou move on one of the- St. Helens, thn qualifying themselves for a better position. Hoping that the Board will kindly not delay in urging the to make an inquiry re the alleged further trouble.'—*l remain, yours obediently, MAUDE G. HAYWARD, Matron." s

The Chairman' stated that he did not know from what source the paper had obtained its information. It was not obtained through the office of the board.

The clerk stated that he did not supply the information to the paper. The chairman said" it was not for the board to take notice of what appeared in the papers. The board did not control the papers, nos was it controlled by the papers. He thought it unfortunate that the matter shoiuld have been published.

Mr McLeod said he woitld imove that the loiter be received and referred to the sub-committee Bet Tip to deal with the matter. He would move later that the board go intocommittee to consider the whole .natter of hospital administration. Mr W. Fisher said he would second the motion, on condition that the mover added that the board regretted that any member should so far forget himself to supply to the newspapers information dealt with incommittee.

Mr McLeod said 116 would be glad. J t-o add the words suggested by -Mr ~ Fisher. . - - Mr Rummer asked if it \ras not possible that the repoi'ter gained the information from the books of the board.

Mr Fisher said the press was not present at the committee meeting, and the clerk'had not supplied the information. Mr H. C. Robinson addressed the meeting at some length. He asked that the meeting authorise a public , inquiry, so that the matron might clear herself. There was a suggestion in the article in the newspaper that the nurses had been unfairly treated. Tliis necessarily caused annoyance to the matron. Me thought it- desirable tljat an inquiry be held at once.. Mr Robertson -asked that letters - from the nurses be read. The letters were read, and these showed tliat there wasf no complaint made by either of the nurses, 4 excepting that Sister Dunkley had s-vd she did not desire to do night duty. Mr H. C. Robinson again asked that a public inqaiiry be held, in the interests of the matron. The chairman stated that the Hospital Committee had referred the matter to a sub-committee, and he considered this was sufficient. Mr Ewingjon saiH that if it was considered a public inquiry was necessary, the sub-committee would probably report to that effect. Mr Robinson said he would be satisfied if this course was pmrsmvl The motion of Mr McLeod that the letter of the matron be retW red to the .sub-committee appointed by the Central Committee was the carried cn the voices.