NOT JUST YET

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 132, 5 June 1937, Page 10

NOT JUST YET

VISIT TO AMERICA

HOSPITAL SUPERINTENDENT

DECISION BY 1 VOTE

By 7 votes to 6, the Wellington Hospital Board last evening decided that the proposed visit of Dr. A. R. Thorne to America, to inquire into hospital matters, should be deferred.

A special meeting of the board was held to discuss the matter, which was referred to it from the ordinary board meeting. The proposal was that Dr. Thorne should visit America to attend courses of lectures, and also to visit various institutions with a view to studying modern methods and equipment in connection with the fitting out and administration of the new acute hospital. Mr. A. G. Stephenson. a.member of the firm of Messrs. Stephenson, Meldrum, ( and Turner, Melbourne and Sydney, who are preparing the plans for the new hospital, addressed the board, expressing the opinion that it would be of inestimable value for Dr. Thorne to go abroad and study the methods of administration in the great hospitals of the world. Wellington Hospital was a great hospital, and administrative problems were always arising. Mr. Stephenson expressed the opinion that as a result of what Dr. Thorne would learn, there would be an out and out saving within a year of his return. The chairman (Mr. J. Glover) said that the board would agree that such a trip would be of benefit to Dr. Thorne, but, -he asked, how would it benefit the hospital. Mr. Stephenson said sthat the saving to be effected would be more than the cost of the trip. If necessary, a contract should be entered into stipulating that Dr. Thorne should remain with the hospital for a definite period. TOO EARLT YET. Mr. A. W. Croskery said that Mr. Stephenson had been engaged to plan the hospital, and he had done so. The equipment was a different matter altogether. He was of the opinion that it was too early yet for anybody to go to America in connection with equipment or administration. The trip, including the salary, would ■ cost about £1000. ' Mr. G. Y. Berry: ■ He is working while he is away. Mr. Croskery said he understood that Mr. Stephenson's ficm had built, in Australia, some of the most up-to-date hospitals south of the Line, and the superintendent (who had been to Australia) should be able to see there everything that was required. He was definitely opposed at the moment to sending anybody abroad. The question of administration could be separated from equipment, and he was of the opinion that-the board would be ill advised to send anybody from New Zealand to America till such time as the hospital was well on its way. Mr. A. H. Carman said that it would be useless planning the building till it , was known how it should be equipped, and it would be of little value for Dr. Thorne to go at a later date. Mr. R. Holland thought that Dr. Thorne should visit America. Dr. T. L, Parr stressed the disadvantage the hospital would suffer during the absence of Dr. Thorne, and said he was not conviriced of the need for the visit at present. Most of the equipment was Australian, and Dr. Thorne had probably seen it. Mr. Berry supported the visit. The board was embarking on a big capital expenditure, and much would remain t be done. It was desirable that no false steps should be taken. Mrs. A. McVicar favoured the visit. AN AMENDMENT. Mr. Croskery moved an amendment, that the matter be deferred for the present. He pointed, out that there were five board members absent from the meeting. If Dr. Thorne did go abroad, he should not stop at America, where only American equipment would be seen. If the British article was equal to the American, preference should be given to Britain. Mr. J. Purvis seconded the amendment. Mr. Carman said that owing to the small board meeting, it would be better if the matter were deferred at present;.

The chairman said it had been decided that the matter should be discussed by the special meeting, and it seemed to him that it would have to be settled. If Dr. Thorne went to America, it did not necessarily follow that American goods would be purchased.

On being put to the vote, the amendment was carried by 7 votes to 6.