DOCTOR’S APPEAL

Grey River Argus, 26 January 1943, Page 2

DOCTOR’S APPEAL

Departure from Mental Hospital MAY NOT LEAVE EMPLOYMENT CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 25. The adjourned appeal by Doctor Joseph Cecil Douglas Macky, against the decision of the Manpower Officer, in refusing him permission to terminate his employment at Sunnyside Mental Hospital, came before the Industrial Manpower Committee, this morning. Dr. Macky left Sunnyside in March last, and took up private practice at Helensville. It was stated to-day, that Dr. Macky had subsequently been -omissed from his post at Sunnyside, on instruction from the Public Service Commissioner. Dr. T. G. Gray, Director General qf Mental Hospitals, slaid the Department regarded the appeal a's extremely important, not only because of the shortage of medical officers, but also because of the effect of the decision on the working of mental hospitals as an essential undertaking The view of the Department was that Macky had committed an offence, and if he were allowed to do so without penalty, then other officers were entitled to take the same action. Dr. Gray added that in his evi- 1 dence at Auckland Macky had said he was an assistant medical officer, when actually he was Deputy Superintendent. Dr. Gray suggested that Macky I I left Sunnyside to improve his linancial position, as he wa's “hard press-’ ed.” , ~ . . The Chairman: I don t think you should say that, unless you can prove it. Dr. Gray: I can. The Chairman: In any case I douffi whether it is admissable. After further evidence was heard, the appeal was dismissed. WORK URGENT AT MENTAL HOSPITALS. THE OFFICIAL VIEW. P.A. CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 25. Dr. Gray, in the course of his evidence, said that it was incorrect for Dr. Mackay to say that 75 per cent, of the cases were custodial. No medical officers, declared Dr. Gray, had the right to regard custodial patients as cases apart. All of these cases had to be watched, for the whole object of the treatment was to make the patients from worse categories to better ones. No case was put down as hopeless, and certainly not 75 per cent, of them. He explained that there was an examination and follow -up system at regular intervals lor the patients. Each patient got a careful and meticulous attention.” The District Manpower Officer, H L. R. Read, explained that, when Dr. Macky put in his application for release in March, he was on sick leave. It was not until April 24 that he was able to trace Dr. Macky, who, by then, had gone to Helensville. The Head Office then took the view that I an appeal could not be allowed owing’ : to the time lapse. I “We are satisfied that Dr. Mackv ! intended to appeal against the direc- | tion of the Manpower Officer, and ' that he took all reasonable steps to ' bring it before the Board,”’ said the Chairman. “It is unfortunate that, I in the normal course, the case was not before us in May or June. There was reason for Dr. Macky to think that the question of his job would be settled during his month’s leave. We are satisfied that the Mental Hosp.tals Department is doing urgent work, and is seriously under-staffed. We are satisfied that, had an appeal come up in May, he would have taken the same, view as the Manpower Ofifcer. We must uphold the view of the Manpower Officer, and, therefore, the appeal is dismissed. We express the opinion that Dr. Mackv was not to blame for the delqv in bringing the appeal, and pass no adverse comments against his motive In wishing to work at Helensville.” The Chairman said that it was not proper for the committee to comment on the question of prosecution.