MENTAL HOSPITAL DOCTOR

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 October 1944, Page 8

MENTAL HOSPITAL DOCTOR

RESIGNATION REFUSED

AUCKLAND, October 24 An assistant medical officer at the Kingseat Mental Hospital, Dr. W. Crai s Howie, who came from Eng1939, appealed on the grounds o f ill-health to the Auckland Manpower (Industrial) Committee against not being allowed to leave his employment. Appellant, who was represented by Mr Goldstine, was stated to be suffering from diabetes and neuritis of the legs, and could not stand up to the work at the institution, which involved a certain amount of walking between villas. He desired to go into private practice in partnership with a doctor in Palmerston North, where his duties would be confined to surgery. In 1941, said Mr Goldstine, Dr. Howie was off work for eight months as a result of his disabilities. His condition since his transfer to the Kingseat Hospital had become progressively worse, and he was taking increasing doses of insulin. „ , . Certificates were produced from Drs. A. Cumming and T. W. J. Johnson, stating that the appellant should find a position where he would not be on his feet. The Director-General of Mental Hospitals, continued Mr Goldstine, had refused to accept Dr. Howie’s resignation on account of the shortage of staff. Counsel denied that there was a shortage of medical men at mental hospitals, stating that the position was better now than in 1938, since when eight doctors had been imported from England, and three recruited in New Zealand.

Representing the Director-General of Mental Hospitals, Dr, Gilbert Mortimer Tothill, superintendent at the Kingseat Hospital, said that after working in English mental hospitals he would say that the medical personnel in local institutions was totally inadequate. At Christchurch there were 1500 patients, and only a superintendent and two assistant medical officers to look after them. The institution at Nelson, which contained 1200 patients, had one assistant. “If staffs are further depleted,” continued witness, “the Director-General of Health has indicated that he will have to abandon the clinics established at Porirua to treat soldiers suffering from neurosis. Our service does not offer sufficient monetary inducement for men to stay,” he added. Referring to appellant’s disabilities, witness said it was not denied that he was liabetic, and that he suffered from neuritis, although he had not complained about his feet for years. The question of neuritis had only been raised when it was mooted that Dr. Howie was to be transferred to Porirua.

The committee reserved its decision.