THE GISBORNE HOSPITAL

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3604, 17 August 1912, Page 7

THE GISBORNE HOSPITAL

LOCAL DOCTORS FAVOR AN HONORARY STAFF. BOARD AVERSE TO THE PROPOSAL AN INTERESTING DISCUSSION The advisableness of appointing an honorary staff at the Gisborne Hospital was discussed by the Hospital Board last night. The Poverty Ray division of the British Aledical Association informed the Board that at a special meeting held on August 13, it was unanimously resolved to lay before the Hospital the desire of the profession that an honorary staff he formed in connection with the hospital. The undersigned members of the Association were prepared to offer their services to the Board in the above capacity, and trusted the Board would give the matter its favorable consideration. (Signed) A. P. Coker, Wm. P. Porter, Chas. F. Scott, W. Reeve, J. W. Williams and A- L. Singer. Dr Collins said that he did not know whether the Board would be prepared to discuss this matter in the absense of the Aledical Superintendent. The matter was of grave importance to the district, and there were a great many advantages and disadvantages connected witli it, and lie proposed to move a motion later in regard to the matter.

The chairman (Hen. Cant. Tucker) : We will go on. Mr lienway: I take it we will not take any action without consulting the Aledical Superintendent. The chairman: We will do nothing decisive in the matter to-night. Dr Collins, proceeding, pointed out that lie was a member of the Board on the' one hand and a member of the medical profession on the ether, and as he represented a certain number of ratepayers in the district on the Board lie did not propose to view the matter from the standpoint of the medical profession for one moment. In the first place the secretary of the Association had informed him that it was not a question of the Association as much as the medical men of the district, and asked him to sign the paper presented to the Board. He pointed out to him that as a member of the Board he coukl not see his way to do so, and furthermore he liad not been allowed to enter into their deliberations. In looking into the past history when Dr Alorrison sent in his resignation, the Board then decided to form an honorary staff. As far as the Board was concerned, they made an earnest endeavor to meet the wishes of the profession in this respect. The memljors of the profession chose to resign, except- one, and they left the Board in a somewhat awkward predicament- - The chairman: So far I am entirely with you.

Dr.'Collins said be wanted to be perfectly fair to the profession and Board. 'He pointed out the unenviable position this doctor was at the time placed in in seeing to surgical work of a very grave nature and with the I whole responsibility thrown on his shoulders. They could hardly expect a man of this doctor’s years and experience to shoulder such responsibility. The Board found that the system was, he (the. speaker) would not say unsatisfactory, but the Board thought tliev could do better and appointed a Aledical Superintendent. They offered the superintendent outside" practice as well as the hospital practice. At that time the- medical profession did not complain at all. He would ask the Board who created the position—the medical profession or the Board. It was the medical profession. He did not know what guaiantee of continuity of medical service they would get if they made suc-h a radical change. He'pointed out that sonic members of the profession wanted to extend their surgical experience but they would never get an honorary staff with any degree of satisfaction if personal achievement and peisonal experience were allowed to entei into the matter. The medical men in the previous honorary staff had, in his opinion, allowed their personal interests to conflict with their public duties. He was quite satisfied with the present medical supervision at the hospital, and he did not care to open up a radical change like this. There was simple a bold request for a change. He moved that a committee should he set up to confer with members of the Association. Air T. Holden, in seconding the motion. said he was not in favor of making the change. ~ . Mr Ken wav said the medical superintendenoe at the hospital was eminently satisfactory, and he would lie the last to alter it. The committee s action, he took it would he subject to Dr. Wilson’s advice. The chairman pointed out that the medical profession approached the Board some years ago to allow them to become an honorary; staff and the Board acceded to their wishes, and later those who were most urgent in the matter resigned. Dr. Selmmachei was the only one to stay, and it was vastly to his credit. The Board ueie led into a false position- They later appointed a .superintendent, Mid it had proved very satisfactory. He did 'not, feel in the position to agree to “Yho'Siontvas cavrM ■ and rt. Chairman, Alessrs Jex-Blnke. T. Holden. H. Ken way and Dr. Collins were appointed as.a committee.. "tt was also decided to inform the Division that the Board did not desire mike any change in the system of medical superintendence at the hospital, though they would be pleased to meet members. ...