WOMEN DOCTORS

Evening Star, Issue 21137, 24 June 1932, Page 2

WOMEN DOCTORS

NOT BARRED FROM HOSPITAL NO RULING BY OTAGO BOARD No ruling has been made by the Otago Hospital Board that no woman doctors arc to be in the hospital. That was made clear at the board’s mooting last night, when Mr J. W. Sonrr indignantly dented a statement that he was opposed to women doctors. Mr Murray M'George wrote resigning his appointment as acting house surgeon at the Dunedin Hospital in favour of Mr G. H. Maaka. Air Dove moved that Air Alaaka bo appointed to the vacancy. “AA’hat is the board’s position? Is it that there are to be no women doctors in the hospital?” asked Air Garth Gallaway. The Chairman: No ruling has been made by the board. Mr Gallaway: But some members have said that they would not luive women doctors. Air J AV. Seurr: No. AA'c have had some good women doctors. Mr Gallaway: Air Scurr said at a committee meeting that ho would not have a woman ■ doctor in the hospital.

Air Scurr said he objected most strongly to that statement. He challenged Air Gallaway to prove his statement. Ho had never said anything of the sort.

Air Gallaway moved that Dr Florence Craig be appointed, but Air Dove’s motion was carried.

The Hospital Committee reported;— “ An application has been received from the honorMy medical staff that Dr Florence Craig, Air G. H. Alaaka, and Mr R. Blunden be appointed to tho positions for the second six months as house surgeon and acting house surgeons at Dunedin Hospital. Application has also been received from Dr N. H. A. Alackinnon, who has now qualified, for appointment as house surgeon, and reply has been given that the board has decided to allow the original agreement to stand—;.e., that the ■ three final year students should take up duties from July 1 to December 31. A reply has been sent to tho registrar of the University that Mr Small’s engagement as acting house surgeon at the Dunedin Hospital .x----pires on the 30tb inst. Airs Alarshall Alacdonald asked that the Hospital Committee’s clause be referred back. She held that qualified persons should be appointed to the staff when they were available. It was pointed out that the hoard was only carrying out its understanding to give students an opportunity of filling the positions. A suggestion that the chairman aud Air Dove should consult with the staff was rejected, Mr Dove saying that the staff had suggested that Air Marka be appointed.