A.D.M.S.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18241, 27 November 1924, Page 14

A.D.M.S.

DR. FENWICK'S POSITIONS

Dr. P. 0. Femvick is now on tlie permanent staff of the Nortli Canterbury Hospital Board, liis special work being deep therapy and radium treatment. He also holds the position of Assistant Director 'of Medical Services, with the rank of Colonel, and the question as to whether lio should devote the whole of ,&s time to radium treatment was discus»3d at yesterday's meeting of the Beard.

Tlio was introduced bv a letter from the Medical Administrator of Pensions asking if the Beard l _ would agreo to Dr. Fenwick continuing to hold the position of Assistant Director of Medical Services to the Southern Military Command. The Hospital Committee recommended the Board to approve this; at the same time the committee expressed regret .to the Medical Administrator of Pensions that he should have thought it necessary to appoint another officer to control the medical work in connexion with the Rannerdale Home.

In reply to a .question, the . cliairman said the pension work would not interfere with Dr. Fenwick's other work. With - regard to Rannerdale Home, the speaker considered that Dr. Fenwick should be still in charge cf the Home, lie went to England on the understanding that lie would resume control on his return. The Rev. C. Carr said it was a great pity that Dr. Fenwick had had to relinquish the charge of Rannerdale, where lie was greatly esteemed by the patients. Surgeon-General Sir Donald Mc'Gayin had persuaded Dr. Fenwick to resign, and he had done so in order tc maintain peace. The speaker did not think there was any breach of confidence in making that statement, but it was a matter for regret that pressure had been brought to bear on Dr. Fenwick. Mr Carr said that aj regards the pension work, he was not so sura as the chairman that it would not take up too much cf Dr. Fenwick's time. The.Rev. J. K. Archer said he had. great faith in Dr. Fenwick's humanity and-ability, and he was the man t-hey should look to to devote his whole time to the radium and deep therapy work. He moved as <in amendment that the clause be referred back to the committee.

Mrs Herbert said they should? consult ■with Dr. Femvick, and' Mr Archer agreed to that statement.

The Hon. It. Moore, M.L.C., said they should make the fullest enquiries into Dr. Fenwick'a relations with the higher authorities in the Army Medical Service, but at the same time they should nofc_ ask Dr. Feriwiclc to relinquish his high rank in the service. The chairman also stated that Dr. . Feniviek should not be asked to relinquish his Army rn.nk. The chairman tlion put to the meeting the amend' hod '1 that the report should be transferred hack to the committee. Tha motion was that the report should b© adopted. • The amendment was lost and the motion carried.