"A SORRY MESS"

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 150, 21 December 1940, Page 12

"A SORRY MESS"

WELLINGTON HOSPITAL

FULL INQUIRY NEEDED

MR. NIMMO'S REPLY

Mr. R- H. Nimmo, president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, commenting today upon the decision of the Wellington Hospital Board to reply to public criticism by the issue of a considered statement, repeated the view previously expressed by him that the position was so serious that in the public interest an inquiry upon the widest relevant order of reference is called for.

"It is apparent from the report of the discussion at the meeting of the Wellington Hospital Board that certain of its members were displeased that criticism has been levelled at the results of their collective efforts at hospital planning and control," said Mr. Nimmo. "The chairman, Mr. F. Castle, in particular, was displeased by comments made by me, as president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Castle is reported as replying that for any man to claim to represent the whole community was rather overstepping the mark.

"When, on Tuesday, I asserted that such a state of affairs as had been revealed demanded a full public inquiry, I stated that I believed that that was the view of the business community of Wellington. I will go further than that. I say that, having now been told what a sorry mess has been made of the affairs of the hospital, the people of Wellington must feel that a public inquiry is needed.

; "It is patent that the hospital service, as a social service, has suffered seriously during recent years, and it is more than patent that value has not been obtained for money spent. For the Hospital Board and the Health Department to barge ahead with a major development—the Hutt Hospital—without ever having seen the plans leaves one astounded.

"That the Department of Health has been to blame, in large or small part, is evident, and is admitted by the Director-General of Health, but the Hospital Board cannot 'pass the buck,' as the 10 to 8 majority decided on Thursday night; nor will the people of Wellington be satisfied by a considered statement and apologia issued ex parte ,by the board.

"Both board and Department have been plainly at fault, and a public inquiry into the whole sorry position is the only way by which the respective responsibilities can be established and some assurance given that a highly unsatisfactory position can be cleaned up quickly. Probably most valuable evidence could be given by the former superintendent, Dr. A. R. Thorne, who, no doubt, would willingly, return from Australia to attend an investigation of such importance. "I repeat that I believe that it is the view of the business community, and, further^ of the citizens of the Wellington hospital district, that an inquiry by Royal Commission is necessary. And that investigation should be held before the next municipal elections, so that electors going to the polls may be able to judge from the report of the Commission the manner in which present members of the board have discharged their duties, and prior also to the appointment of the successor to Dr. Thorne."