Hospital Dispute Doctors Will Work For Nothing

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31028, 6 April 1966, Page 3

Hospital Dispute Doctors Will Work For Nothing

GVeir Zealand Press Association) INVERCARGILL, April 5. Members of the Kew Hospital visiting medical staff will work for nothing in an attempt to bring home to the Southland Hospital Board their views on- the dispute that has threatened hospital services in the province over recent weeks. In a surprise decision last night 21 of the 25 members of the committee voted for this action.

Eight members of the committee who i have already sent notices of resignation to the board decided that when their resignations became Effective they would offer their ser- i vices without payment and entirely as a service to the public.

Thirteen members of the committee who have not resigned also decided not to accept payment for their services.

The committee chairman. Dr. C. H. Baird, said today that members of the visiting staff were determined that medical services to the public would not be affected by the dispute. “Members have made a big sacrifice in deciding on this course of action,” he said. “As well as losing financially—it could cost each member more than £2O a week—they are staking their medical reputations.” Dr. Baird said that by taking this action, visiting staff would be working for the public and would be responsible to the public. They would report directly to the ■ public. I The committee also called lon. the board to resign. ; In a postscript to a motion, I the committee said:

“The Hospital Board is invited to show similar concern for the public by resigning and offering themselves for re-election. If they are re-

elected, all resignations will be withdrawn.” As well the committee called on the board to arrange another meeting, but laid down two conditions for the meeting. They were: That such a meeting be open to the press and the public, and that the Mayor of Invercargill (Mr N. L. Watson) be chairman.

The acting-chairman of the board (Mr M. W. Grantham) said today that the board would not take any action on the invitation to resign. “The board comprises the elected representatives of the people and as such will remain as the board,” he said.

The board would have no objection to another meeting with the committee being open to the press and the public, but he described the demands of the committee that such a meeting be chaired by Mr Watson as “a continuation of the dictatorial attitude of the committee.”

The committee's choice of a chairman was “not being m conformity with the democratic way of life in New Zealand."

However, Mr Grantham went on to say that he might not be unfavourably disposed to an independent chairman controlling the meeting. But he felt the chairman should represent the whole of Southland, which was involved in the dispute, not just Invercargill.