PROTEST BY BOARD

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30115, 26 April 1963, Page 8

PROTEST BY BOARD

Health Dept. Ruling

A letter “protesting very much” at the Health Department’s refusal to allow the head of the Christchurch Hospital splint department (Mr M. W. Hitahins) to spend six weeks studying in Australia on full pay. with his expenses borne by toe New Zealand Crippled Children Society, had been sent to toe department by the board, the chairman of toe board (Dr. L. C. L. Averill) said at the board’s meeting on Wednesday. The board, which had received an approach from the society, wanted Mr Hitching to go on salary. The department suggested he could use -his annual leave.

“Lt is only right that toe head of a department should be given toe opportunity of furthering his studies,” said Mir E. P. Shier. “I am at a loss to know why toe department looks on this request as unnecessary.” The president of the Canterbury and West Coast branch of toe society (Professor H. E. Field) said afterwards he hoped toe department would reconsider its decision. The society had made toe proposal only after professional advice had been taken. Mr Hitchins’s visit could be a way of enabling New Zealand crippled children to get the benefit of certain overseas developments in treatment.