“TOO DRASTIC”

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 285, 28 August 1931, Page 11

“TOO DRASTIC”

Closing a Department HOSPITAL PROBLEM Ultra-Violet Treatment An explanation as to why, after the general committee had recommended the closing of the ultra-violet light department, the medical superintendent had submitted a report which led to a reopening of the question, was sought by Dr. R. Campbell Begg at a meeting of the Hospital Board yesterday afternoon. Mr. F. Castle, chairman, said that on Adgust 5 the general committee had decided to close the ultra-violet light department until the end of the financial .year. The step was purely an economy one. It had been pointed out to the committee that the use of the department was to some extent limited, also that owing to a breakdown in part of the apparatus an expenditure of £7O would be necessary. At a meeting of the committee last week the medical superintendent had submitted a report in which he stated that on thinking over the committee s decision to close the department, he felt that this was too drastic, and be would be glad if the matter could be reviewed. The general committee then decided, Mr. Castle said, to withdraw a notice terminating the services of an employee ana to keep open the department until a full report had been submitted by the superintendent to the next meeting of the committee, when the position would be further considered. Mr. Castle suggested that the committee be given power to act on any decision it might come to. “An Extraordinary Thing.” “Why has this question come before the board to-day?” Dr. Begg asked. "One of two things has happened. The medical superintendent has, wrongly, to. my mind, brought forward again a question which had been already decided in his presence; or he has brought down a report with a view to reopening the question. If he were asked to see that the question was reopened we have to consider how he was asked. Was any member of the board approached in order to have the subject reopened? Did any member of the board have an interview with any member of the. department? It is an extraordinary thing that a report, unsolicited, from the medical superintendent, ehould come forward again.” Chairman’s Explanation. The chairman said the position was that the medical superintendent had placed certain facts before him, as chairman, and had asked that the question of closing the department should be reopened. He had advised the medical superintendent to submit a report to the next meeting of the committee, which he had d °“l contend,” Mr. Castle said, “that if our superintendent finds that a decision which we have made is wrong, it is the chairman’s duty to assist him to reopen the question. That is the reason why the matter came before the committee again. The medical superintendent was of opinion that harm would be done to a certain number of patients if the department were not operated on a part-time basis. Therefore, I precipitated the matter by bringing it before the next committee meeting. Mr. C. M. Luke asked, whether what had happened did not point to the .fact that the committee should not hurriedly accept advice. “I can see now.” he said; "it is not wise always to be guided under pressure’ by medical gentlemen, without giving the question proper consideration. I don’t question their advice, but, I do question accepting advice hurriedly. Staff Opinions Important ’ ’Dr. D. M. Wilson: I don’t know whether Mr. Luke said medical gentleman, or medical gentlemen. Personally, I object on principle to the closing of this department I don’t think the board should close it without asking the medical staff what they think about it I should be sorry to see the department closed down altogether. ' Mr. Luke agreed entirely with Hr. Wilson that the medical staff should be consulted. .... k ■ i Dr. Wilson: I don’<t hold any brief for the department, but I think we are wrong in closing it down altogether. Mr.'W. Cole said that the committee had decided to close the department on the medical superintendent’s stajxment that the percentage of cases benefiting from the ultra-violet li'-ht treatment was a small one—-something like 2or 4 per cent. The whole thing seemed to him to be childish —first the medical superintendent recommended a certain course, and. a fortnight later, that the question be reopened, ft looked as if the committee did not know, where it was. Saving On Services. Dr. H. Bayldon Ewen, medical superintendent, said he did not give any percentage of results. Dr. Begg had stated that in his opinion ni.any of the cases sent to the department had not benefited. It was Dr. Begg who said that the proportion of cases benefiting was 2 per cent Dr. Begg: I never made any such statem Dr. Ewen: I agreed with Dr. Begg that cases were referred there as a last resort, so to speak, and without any clear indication that benefit was likely to result. Dr. Begg said that he had told the committee that valuable treatment was being given by the department, and that it was sometimes used as a last resort. Beyond that he had-not been prepared to go. Faced with a serious financial position, the committee was imbued with the idea of closing down certain services and spending the money saved more advantageously. ■ .. , . „ “I do not want to see things done in a roundabout way.” Dr. Begg said. If a member has anything' to bring forward let him do so, and not go to the chairman about it. It seems that some people have a habit of approaching members ot tne b °Mrs. J. K. Preston: If they had a right to go to Dr. Campbell Begg they have a right to go to other members. The board finally gave the committee power to act. ' . Doctor On Department. In his report to the committee, last week, the medical superintendent recommended that the department be kept open at least every afternoon. He stated that many cases were definitely benefited, and in particular he mentioned tuberculous glands, which often responded readily to ultra-violet light therapy. This method of treatment was of undoubted benefit also in the after-treatment of fractures.