Medical School Delays

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31339, 8 April 1967, Page 3

Medical School Delays

(N.Z. Prest Attoctation) AUCKLAND, April 7. As delay followed delay, the man appointed to get Auckland’s medical school going was wondering whether he would be more usefully employed in some other field of medicine.

The dean of the school—and so far its only staff member—Professor C. W. D. Lewis, expressed his feeling in this way in a World Health Day address in Auckland today.

“As yet, we have no percussion to make any appointment to the teaching staff, nor to buy a single brick,” he said.

He said he might have to re-examine his own future if something was not done soon. Two years had passed since his appointment “As I understood it my mandate was to use whatever energy and expert knowledge I had in assisting in the early development of a medical school for which the Government had fully appreciated the necessity and to the implementation of which it was already committed,” he said.

“My personal position may require re-assessment as I occasionally wonder whether I could not be more usefully and rewardingly occupied in some other field of medical endeavour,” he said. In spite of repeated assurances from high authority that toe school’s development was urgent, delay went

on, dislocating effort The

completion of the project had been listed in toe last election manifesto of each main

party. “The position is now showing toe first signs of deterioration as toe project begins to obey toe law of diminishing returns,” said Professor Lewis, “Ardour, purpose, spirit, good will—these are intangible but essential ingredients in toe development and sustenance of a medical school of excellence.’’

A warning in September by toe Vice-Chancellor, Mr K. J. Maidment, that the effects of tardiness were serious had still drawn no reply.

Early this year a senior minister had affirmed the high priority of toe buildings and toe timing and financing were said to be covered by a report "nearly complete.”

“Vital days and precious weeks have since passed by," said Professor Lewis, “and toe raven on my shoulder whispers with gloomy foreboding.” A good class of student was already coming forward, many of whom had chosen their courses this year in expectation of toe medical school’s starting as planned in 1968.

Tender documents for toe first stage of toe Auckland medical school are now being prepared and the Government will consider calling tenders when they are ready, said the Minister of Education (Mr Kinsella) later today.

“This is gratifying news,” Professor Lewis commented.