MEDICAL SCHOOL TEACHER

Evening Star, Issue 25037, 2 December 1943, Page 4

MEDICAL SCHOOL TEACHER

APPOINTMENT IN SAMOA UNIVERSITY COUNCIL OPPOSES " With the increase in medical services through Social Security legislation and also because of the serious shortage of doctors in the Dominion it would be a clamity if the teaching staff at the Medical School were further depicted and it would be a disaster to remove a teacher engaged in his tvpo of work, declared Dr C. E. Hercus, Dean of the Medical Faculty at the University of Otago giving evidence in a case heard to-day by the Industrial Man Power Appeal Committee. The hearing involved an appeal by the University of Otago against the granting of permission sought by Dr J. C. Lopdell, a member of the teaching staff at the Medical School to accept a position with the New Zealand Department of Health in Western Samoa. Evidence was given during the hearing of'the appeal, in which decision was reserved by the committee, that, the medical burden in Samoa at present was being carried by two European and 10 native doctors among a population of 00.000. STAFFING PROBLEMS.

Outlining the difficulties of staffing the Medical School, Dr Hercus said that in 1931 there were 271 students, and in 1942 they had increased to 552. The staff was having to deal with twice the student load, and the tremendous efforts to cope with this growth were aggravated by losses in staff because of the war. "We are absolutely at bedrock as far as staffing is concerned, and the aspect of medicine which Dr Lopdoll has been teaching is being emphasised throughout the British Empire," said Dr Hercus. " The medical reservoir is absolutely dry, and Dr Lopdell is irreplaceable." " While realising the position of health in Samoa, the,needs of the Dominion should take precedence," said Mr W. J. Morrell, Chancellor of tho University. " The University Council is responsible for the maintenance of medical training in the Dominion, and it is submitted that the vital work Dr Lopdell is doing' must have prior consideration." Mr Morrell pointed out that at the expressed desire of the Minister of Education (Mr Mason) the number of students admitted this year to the Medical Faculty had been increased from 100 to 120 on the understanding that any extra staff would be supplied. When the position of Dr Lopdell arose he wrote to the Minister reminding him of this, but it appeared as if this undertaking had been forgotten by the Minister. TROPICAL EXPERIENCE.

Dr J. H. Davies, acting medical officer of health for Otago, who gave evidence as the Government's representative at the hearing for the Islands Department, said that Western Samoa consisted of a group of six small islands and two larger ones. It was these two islands that were administered by New Zealand under a mandate, and it was the Dominion's,responsibility to administer their health services. The total native population was 65,000, and their needs were administered to by a health staff of two European and 10 native doctors. Apparently the burden shouldered by this staff was very considerable, and the Government felt that under present conditions adequate medical attention could not he made available, and had decided to increase the number of doctors. Dr Lopdell had accepted the third appointment, and he was particularly qualified, as he had previous tropical experience. Unfortunately, no other medical man was available in the Dominion to take the position offered. V The chairman (Mr H. W. Grantham) : Is there a shortage of doctors throughout the Dominion? _ _ - Dr Davies: I am not in a position to say, but in the Southland area there is a verv definite shortage.' Dr Davies added that the work of the senior medical officer in Samoa involved the supervision of all native medical doctors and all public health matters. The junior medical officers carried the burden of surgery and all clinical work.

Dr Hercus: In the light of the grave shortage of medical men in Samoa, why has Dr Newman been released from his duties there to proceed to America for a medical course? The Health Department has been clamouring for the services of Dr Lopdell, yet lets a competent medical man slip through its fingers. Tn August Dr Newman interviewed me for a position at the Medical School.

Dr Lopdell gave evidence, and said he desired to return to the islands. He had been stationed in Tonga for three years. The position would mean financial advancement. Mr Morrell said that the University Council some months ago had forwarded to the Government a statement embodying advances in salary which were thought necessary. An increase in Dr Londell's salary was one of the matters which had been held up under reference to the Wages Committee.