HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 19699, 28 October 1927, Page 3

HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

MONTHLY BOARD MEETING The monthly meeting of the Otago Hospital Board, held last night, was attended by Messrs W. E. S. Knight (chairman), G. Gallaway, J. W. Dove, M'Lonnan, A. E. Queich, W. Morgan, 1). Lnniacb, Dr Nowlamls* Mrs Vt • lioss, and Runcnnan KEES FOR MEDICAL CERTIFICATES. The Hospital Committee's report was adopted, with the exception ol the following clause, which, at the request of the was referred back to the committee:—“The previous resolution in regard to fees lor medical certificates be rescinded, and that tho board and resident medical officers receive half fees each ior such certificates as may be issued, same to bo previously submitted and passed by the medical superintendent.” Mr Knight said this was a matter of principle, the recommendation being opposed to the arrangement come to by the four main boards, which had agreed that tho fees were tho property of the boards. Unfortunately ho had been unable to be present at the committee meeting when the recommendation was adopted. HOUSE SURGEONS’ SALARIES. Mr Dove stated that he noticed that ono of their house surgeons had resigned and was taking up a position with a minor board, which would pay him more. A proposal made at the meeting of the four boards that the wages of house surgeons should be increased bad been rejected. The board was going to be faced in tho near future with tho problem of salaries as far as the supply of house surgeons was concerned. Dr Newlands said that on a previous occasion he had brought up tho question of the salary to bo paid to bouse surgeons in their second year of office. The board had then agreed to consider the question of giving tho two senior house surgeons a bonus provided they completed their second year. This was a matter to which they should gne their earnest consideration. He thought that £IOO per year in a big hospital like this, where the house surgeons received' good experience, was quite a reasonable remuneration, hut at the end of a year their services were verv much more valuable to the hoard, and he thought, although the associated hoards had arranged foi _ a salary of £l5O, they should give notice of their intention to deviate irom that, and to pay an extra £SO, provided tho surgeons gave a lull year s service at this figure. His reason lor mentioning the matter now was because there was going to he a shortage of house surgeons this year. It would ho a comparatively small year, and the demand would be greater. He understood that positions would he waiting for house surgeons, and ho suggested that they might have to got young fellows from Australia to fill them. The matter was referred to the Finance Committee. SENIOR RESIDENT MEDICAL OFFICER. The following report of the Joint Relations Hospital Committee was adopted:— “The committee recommends that Dr Claude Alexander Taylor he appointed' to the position of medical tutor and senior resident medical officer, Dunedin Hospital, at a salary at the rate of £SOO per annum. The appointment to bo for ono year definitely, with possible reappointment for a further year, and in terms of the board fi by-laws and subject to the approval of tho bon, the Minisfcex*. Mr r J.aylor, father of tho applicant, has been notified of the appointment with a request that he advise his son to cable direct to the hoard the earliest date ho can assume duty.” WORKS AUTHORISED. The quotation of D. M. Stuart, Ltd., of £9B 12s was accepted for repairs to the root of the Wakari Nurses’ Home. Messrs R. Brinsley and Co. s quotation of £24 was accepted for gas ranges for the new kitchen at the Dunedin Hospital. It was decided to accept the quotation of the Otago Power Board for the installation of electric lighting at the Tuapoka Hospital at a cost of £(3 los. It was decided to accept the quotation of tho Otago Power Board for the lighting and heating at tho Tuapeka Hospital at tho public institution rate of £l2 per kilowatt year, with a minimum of £IOO per annum. Repairs costing £l2 10s were authorised to he carried out at the children’s convalescent home, Kew. STUDENTS’ ROOM. Tho Registrar of Otago University advised that his council had agreed to pav half cost of renovating the students’ room at Otago University. BEQUEST. Messrs Aspinall and Sun forwarded a further payment from tho Leijon’s estate of £250 for the Benevolent Institution.