DOCTOR'S ADVICE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 37, 12 August 1943, Page 6

DOCTOR'S ADVICE

A MAN-POWER QUESTION

MEDICAL CERTIFICATES

It was stated by Mr. L. R. James, secretary of the Wellington Manufacturers' Association, during the hearing of an appeal against a decision of the distriot man-power officer today that the position in regard to doctors' certificates of unfitness for work was frequently unsatisfactory and needed clarification, as the certificates were issued without these medical men being in a position to determine the nature of the actual work upon which the appellant was engaged. It was sometimes "stated that the work was difficult and hard, when it was felt that the doctors were not in a position to formulate any opinion on that matter irrespective of the matter of health. Some stereotyped form of certificate could be accepted by the National Service Department, which would meet the case.

The chairman, Mr. J. W. Scott, said that Mr. James did not want to oppose the doctor's certificate in the present case, but he thought it should be mentioned that the appellant was safeguarded by the right of the worker to be examined by a panel of doctors. For the man-power officer, Mr. Swift reviewed the girl's position, stating that she was 14 years of age, and that the doctor had stated in February that the factory work was too hard for her, and recommended that a change of work should be granted her. This had been confirmed by the matron of the Y.W.C.A., and later the girl was employed at the Convalescent Home at Island' Bay, where the hours were 40 a week, with good quality food and plenty of fresh air. In view of the doctor's certificates, and the recommendations of the matron of the home, it was considered proper and in the girl's interests that she should be released from the factory work, which was the recommendation of the Vocational Guidance Officer.

Examined by the man-power officer, the doctor said he had known the girl for some six years when they had both lived at Upper Hutt. She had grown rapidly in the last six months, and had lost a lot of weight. She suffered from anaemia generally, and he had prescribed \ for her, and ordered a change. The girl should, in fact, be sent away for six months.

Examined by Mr. James, the doctor said he was still of the opinion that the girl should not be working. He did not inquire into the work that the girl was doing in the factory, but knew that while she was working there she had to go to work away from her home.

Asked if it was the fact that she was working in a factory that made him say the work was too hard for her, he said that she had to. live away from home and work under control. The work she was now doing was more convenient and more suitable for her. She was doing domestic work. The chairman: You discussed this girl's position and her case with the matron of the Y.W.C.A. and the matron at the Convalescent Home, and it was after that discussion you made the decision that the girl would be better out of the factory?— Yes.

Evidence was given as to the nature of the girl's work and that she was started at 31s 6d a week.

The appeal, which was dismissed, was sponsored by the Manufacturers' Association on behalf of one of its members, against the decision of the mar>power officer granting the girl permission to terminate her employment at the factory.