THE HOSPITAL BOARD.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 49, Issue 200, 10 June 1929, Page 4

THE HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING HELD. THE QUESTION OF SALARY. The Ashburton Hospital Board met this morning, when there were present: Messrs W. T. Lill (chairman), W. G. Gallagher, W. Bryant, G. S. Hardy, A. Horsey, F. Frampton, A. Campion, and Dr. J. R. Wells. The reports presented hy officers of the Board (as published on page 7) were adopted. Mr Bryant reported on his visit to Waipiata, and said it was unfortunate that the laundry had been destroyed by fire, but it might a blessing in disguise, as the building had not been a satisfactory one from the beginning. The chairman said the building had been well insured so there should he no call on the associated Boards for the rebuilding of the laundry. In reply to .Mr A. Horsey, Mr Bryant said the origin of the fire had not been discovered. The chairman: It’s one of the secrets! /

On the recommendation of the HosSifcal Committee, the salary of StaffTurse Young, of Malvern Home, was increased hy £lO per annum, the cook at Malvern was granted an increase to £1 15s per week, and Mr D. Jones (gardener) was allowed to retain his house rental of £26 per annum in consideration of the extent of his duties. Sister Jackman (laboratory sister) was granted an increase of £lO per annum for extra services. The recommendation of the Hospital Committee that the salary of the matron be increased by two instalments of £2O and one of £ls to a maximum of £375 was considered.

In reply to a question, the secretary/ said the matron’s present salary was £320 per annum. He also stated that he had received replies from several hospitals in the same group as Ashburton and these indicated that the highest salary paid to the matron of any one of those was £275 per annum. Dr. Wells said he understood that Timaru Hospital, which was a larger hospital than Ashburton, although in the same group, paid its matron £250 per annum, yet Ashburton proposed to pay £375. “A striking thing is that the salary proposed to be paid here, is greater than any in this group. It means that it is bringing in the atmosphere of fictitious values and the farther it goes, the more aggravating became the position. This salary cannot be reduced unless the position becomes vacant. I venture to say that no member of this Board would pay anybody in his employ a higher rate of wages than the position warranted. I would not object to a reasonable increase to keep a valuable servant, but this salary of £375 is out of all proportion to the position. Even some of the centres are not paying that amount.” Mr Gallagher: When the matter came before the Committee previously, a suggestion was made that the maximum be £4OO, but my idea was £350. This is really a compromise between the two. The information received from other Boards is most valuable and we should make further inquiries to find out what duties the respective matrons undertake. I understand that, in some cases, house stewards are employed, and this, of course, would add to the cost of administration

Dr. Wells: A house-steward does not do a matron’s duties.

The chairman: The point of a few pounds in salary is neither here nor there. It is the question of the services rendered by the officers. I would like to hear Dr. Bathgate’s opinion.

Dr. Wells: It is not fair to Dr. Bathgate to ask him for his opinion, as ho is working with the Matron. Messrs Gallagher, Horsey and Campion agreed with this, the former saying it would put Dr. Bathgate in a false position. Dr. Wells: Dr. Bathgate is not a member of the Board. The chairman: He is, under the Act.

The secretary: No, Air Chairman, he is not a member under the Act. Mr Bryant: It is only a loss of time making further inquiries. We seem to be paying enough. It was decided to get information from other Hospital Boards in the same group as Ashburton, with regard to the duties undertaken by the matrons in their respective institutions. , , With regard to the appointment or trainees at the Malvern Home, correspondence was received from the Alatron (Aliss Munro) and also the Alatron of the Public Hospital (Miss Watt). . , „ Air Gallagher said that he and Mr Lill had interviewed Miss Munro, and there seemed to be practically a deadlock between 'her and the hospital authorities. The Board endorsed a reeommpndation of the Hospital Committee that any applications which Aliss Munro received must be sent forward to the secretary and then to the Alatron (Miss Watt) in order of preference, when Miss Alunro would confer with Miss Watt concerning the appointment. Mr Gallagher considered this would meet the position, giving satisfaction to all concerned.