KNOTTY PROBLEM

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 February 1939, Page 6

KNOTTY PROBLEM

FUTURE OF PART»TIME MEDICAL MEN POSITION AT MASTERTON HOSPITAL. "WOEFULLY UNDERPAID.” The future of the honorary medical staff attached to the Masterton Hospital was considered at today’s meeting of the Wairarapa Hospital Board and was described by the chairman. Mr H. 11. Mawley. as a knotty problem. A report by the newly-appointed Medical Superintendent. Dr 'l'. x.,. Parr, suggested thM two senior and two junior part-time medical men be appointed to co-operate with the resident full-time staff. Mi- Mawley said that when _ local medical men interviewed the Finance Committee it was stressed that hospital conditions were changing and would change even more in view of the Social Security Act. The increase in the number of hospital patients meant that a great deal of the doctors' work was now being done in public instead of private hospitals. In comparison with, other hospitals, they were paying a very small fee io their honorary staff. It was ridiculous that a doctor should receive a salary less than that paid lo a junior nursq. That was the case at the Masterton Hospital. The doctors considered that they were the only people connected with the hospital who were not paid in proportion to the work done and services rendered. Mr W. B. Martin: "I do not think that members of the boarcTare paid in proportion to the work ..they do.” Mr Mawley: "I agree with that." Pointing out that it cost £28,000 a year to run the Masterton Hospital, Mr Mawley said the doctors contended that a lew more hundred pounds a year would not make much difference to the rates. It was most important that they should get the most efficient system possible for the hospital. He considered that the proposed new system would increase efficiency, reduce the number of patients and possibly obviate the necessity for additional buildings. After mentioning in committee the fee asked for by the part-time medical men, Mr Mawley said he thought that in the past the doctors had been doing the work for practically nothing. He could not pick a flaw in their argument. Mr J. F. Thompson said that there was no doubt but that the doctors had been woefully underpaid in the past. Mr Mawley; “There is no doubt about that.” ' It was decided that the chairman, the managing-secretary and Dr Parr discuss the question of salaries for parttime medical officers with the HealthDepartment and report back to the Finance Committee, which if necessary will again interview the local doctors. A full report , will be presented to the next meeting of the board.