HOSPITAL CONTROL

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 September 1934, Page 2

HOSPITAL CONTROL

DIVERGENT METHODS Dr. A. R. Thorne, of Bendigo, Victoria, who visited New Zealand some months ago, paying a Visit to the Grey River Hospital, has been appointed Medical Superintendent of the Wellington Hospital. Dr. Thorne has been Medical Superintendent of the Bendigo and Northern District Base Hospital, which institution is run on the line's now decided on by the Wellington Hospital Board, he having full control, the whole staff being subordinate to him, he being the chief executive officer.

Mr. F. L. Turley, of the Grey River Hospital Board, who has publicly stated that this method is the only one that will lead to efficient control and administration of hospitals, has been in communication with Dr. Thorne, requesting information. On July 20, he received an interesting letter, in which Dr. Thorne pointed out that the scheme in operation in the Bendigo Hospital was comparatively new to Victoria, but in New South Wales medical men were gradually being appointed chief executive officers of hospitals. In the Bendigo Hospital, they have three resident medical officers, four hon. surgeons, four hon physicians, one ear, nose and throat, one infectious and T. 8., one consultant ear, nose and throat; and one radio pathologist. The daily average of occupied beds in 164. Nursing staff, 73; lay staff 35; office staff, chief clerk; outpatient clerk, cost accountant, and two telephone and message boys. Mr. Turley pointed out that, in office costs alone, there is an astounding difference, compared with the Grey Board’s method of control. “Dr. Thorne’s work will no doubt be watched keenly when he takes charge of the Wellington Hospital,” said Mr. Turley, “and I feel sure that this method of control will very quickly spread to all hospitals in New Zealand that have progressive Boards. There will ho doubt be some opposition from those who will have their tin-pot authority of various departments\curtailed, but Boards will, under the new methods, at least be in the position of knowing what is going on, and will have a responsible head to look to when matters appear to be going wrong. I think the Wellington -Hospital Board has been very fortunate in their appointment, and I am confident that Dr. Thorne will be an acquisition to New’ Zealand.” Mr. Turley added that it was most interesting to him to know that the Wellington Hospital Board had appointed the very man he was corresponding with, and jokingly remarked, “Great minds think alike! ”