‘Outrageous' board action — Mrs Clark

Press, 28 February 1980, Page 6

‘Outrageous' board action — Mrs Clark

Moves to ensure public discussion about the disciplining of a North Canterbury Hospital Board cardiologist were accompanied by an accusation of vote-catching at a meeting of the board yesterday. The cardiologist is Dr F. T. L. Hull, who recently called for the resignation of the board’s chairman (Mr T. C. Grigg). He had done so after the Government announced that Christchurch was to receive a neurosurgery unit but not the cardiac unit that was also sought. Dr Hull met a sub-commit-tee of the board on Tuesday to discuss his actions. The results of this meeting were to be discussed at yesterday’s board meeting, but the chairman (Mr Grigg) told board members that discussion about the possible disciplining would be held in committee. Mrs Mollie Clark, a board member who is also the Labour Party’s candidate for the Christchurch mayoralty, then raised the matter in connection with another item on the agenda, to be discussed in public. Her move was squashed when another board member successfully moved that the matter not be discussed in connection with this item. Mrs Clark said she did not know how Mr Grigg could rule that the matter be taken in committee when the public knew to whom it alluded. After this, Mr C. F. Whitty, a board member, said that he was not happy with Mrs Clark’s remarks in her latest statement to the news media. “I know it is election year

and she is endeavouring to get some votes. But I tnink the way the whole thing has been blown up by Mrs Clark is quite unnecessary,” Mr Whitty said. Mr M. R. Good, another member, said he was reluctant to take issue with Mrs Clark on the matter because he felt she had been carried away by emotion. “For her to point the finger at the chairman and his cohorts seems a bit ridiculous,” he said. Mr Good said he wondered whether her statement that the public was disappointed that the cardiac unit had not -come to Christchurch was quite true. “I wonder whether the chairman should resign or whether Mrs Clark should resign. Maybe we should have a by-election to test the opinion of the public to see whether she has the support she claims,” Mr Good said. Mr D. H. Lawrence, another board member, said that although members were elected representatives on the board, he did not think many of them were so politically conscious that they determined their priorities according to “what they were going to bring us.” The board had had a cardiac unit as one of its main priorities, and it was because of the board’s efforts that it had got as far as it had. ' “Unfortunately, some people can’t see that- side of the truth,” said Mr Lawrence. Before the meeting, Mrs Clark gave to “The Press” a copy of what she had intended to say. Part of it said:

“The whole story really holds the board in contempt and I applaud Dr Hull for his outspoken and honest condemnation of a decision which refutes promises solemnly given by Ministers of different political parties over many years. “Dr Hull is a well qualified and highly respected expert in the field of cardiology. I think his professional integrity is to be respected and his honesty of expression to be applauded. “The board can take no joy from the decision, that has been imposed upon it by an autocratic Government. I am ashamed that the cardiac unit for Christchurch has been surrendered without any real show of fight. “In these circumstances, any suggestion that Dr Hull should be disciplined is outrageous, and I would like to place on record my resolute opposition to any such suggestion. “This is a free country and a democratic one, and nobody should be hauled over the coals for telling the truth.” After the meeting, Mr Grigg said that the board sub-committee’s meeting on Tuesday with Dr Hull had been held to seek a full explanation of his actions. “Various facts” had been pointed out to him and it was decided that no further action be taken in the matter. Dr Hull had now gone overseas on a board-sponsored study trip, and “there the matter rests.” A letter had been written to Dr Hull confirming what had taken place, Mr Grigg said.