RESIGNATIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 184, 7 August 1939, Page 11

RESIGNATIONS.

HOSPITAL STAFF.

NURSES—MATRON—DOCTOR.

disagreements sequel.

(From Our Correspondent.)

OPOTIKI, Saturday. The resignations of the whole of the staff of the Opotiki Public Hospital, followed by the resignations of the medical superintendent, Dr. H. J. Mail, and the matron, Miss L. McLean, was made public at a meeting of the Opotiki Hospital Board.

The action of the nurses was reported to be the culmination of disagreements with their superiors. In a letter to the board Miee McLean informed the board that she was resigning under protest, and hinted that it was her intention to ask for a public inquiry.

The chairman, Mr. S. Maxwell, said he considered Dr. Mai! should be given three months' leave of absence. Dr. R : A: Shore > Director of the Hospitals Division of the Health Department, came to Opotiki in November and made certain recommendations regarding the trouble at the hospital, which was due to lack of 00-operatior. The superintendent and the matron had accepted certain conditions, but the position became worse.

Mr. Maxwell said that a week ago Dr. Shore conferred with the secretary and himself in connection with the nurses' letter voicing certain complaints. Mr. Maxwell said the next thing for the board to do was to advertise the position of superintendent and matron.

Messrs. J. T). Black and E. J. Baigent objected to the superintendent taking three months' leave of absence. Messrs. Neilson and Shnlfoon said the harmonious working of the hospital had to be considered. Applications to be Called, The board decided to call applications in the four centres for the two positions. Mr. J. D. Clark said that nothing had ever been produced to substantiate the statements made in the letter from the nurses. He asked the chairman if he was prepared to publish this letter. The Chairman: I am not opposing the publication of anything. Mr. Clark said evidence had not been brought before the board, and he moved that all the documents relating to the trouble be handed over to the secretary, including letters pertaining to the inquiry held in November. The motion was carried.

Mr. Shalfoon said he wanted to know if the superintendent was going now that the matron had jjone. A motion by Mr. Baigent that Dr. Mail work out the period of three months was lost.

Mr. Baigent: I take it Dr. Mail is relieved from his position.

The Chairman: Yes.

The chairman stated that Dr. A. J. BrnF.s was now the acting-superinten-dent.

A special committee was appointed co deal with the appointment of a nev/ nursing staff.

Following the resignations of the ■superintendent and the matrom, the nurses state that they are willing to remain in their employment, which up until the present has not been terminated.