GREY HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

Grey River Argus, 11 April 1945, Page 3

GREY HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

Pin-pricking Alleged NURSES’ ASSOCIATION PROTEST DISCUSSED BY 'BOARD “On behalf o£ the Student Nurses' Association, Grey Hospital branch, we wish to protest against th e statements made at the last Hospital Board meeting and published in the local papers regarding the fact that the Board members attached, negligence to Miss Moffatt and Sister Cook in connection with the presence of cockroaches in the Nurses’ Hbme kitchen”, stated a letter received by the Grey Hospital Board at its meeting last evening. “We most emphatically deplore the fact that such a statement was allowed to be published without an explanation being asked for from ■a member of the nursing staff, which explanation would have entirely altered th e aspect of the question,” the letter continued. “We think that this publication of an undefended statement is detrimental to the character of our Matron and Sub-Matron, and that an apology is indicated. To eliminate further occurrences of this description, we suggest that, when, matters concerning the nursing staff are discussed, a representative of the nursing staff be present, in the person of the' Matron or Sister”. “I wall probably say something that is going to be hurtful and hard on certain people,” the Managing-Secre-tary (Mr J. E. A. MeKeefry) said, when the matter came before the Board. “This letter was given to me to-day, and I had no idea that it was going to bo brought before the Board, but I want to say that the whole of the other Departments in th e Hospital are behind the Nurses Association in the protest they make. As a Board you are elected. It is supposed to be democratic government. Some people might think why. Quite a lot of it, I think, is personal grievance against various controlling officers. I have never heard one word said about the rank and tile, but once an officer opens his mouth and voices an opinion, there is quite a song and dance about it.” In view of what had been said, Mr McKeefryi added, he suggested that the future policy, ol the Board be directed with the view of hospitalisation, instead pricking, and, as he possibly could not take part in any discussion ol that nature, he asked leave for himself and other members of the staff to retire, and let the Board outline its luture policy and what was going to be done at future meetings. The chairman of the Board (Mr L<. J. Oakley) suggested that it mignt. be a good idea if the officers were allowed to retire while the Board decided what it was going to do. Mr MeKeefry, the Matron iMiss Moffatt), the Chief Surgeon (Dr. K. McNamara), and the House Manager (Mr S. Solield) then retired. “Jt’s a bit of a bombshell, remarked the Chairman. “I did not know it was coming up.” Since the last meeting, he said, there had been quite a lot of talk about what had, been in the papers, some blaming the Board, and some thinking otherwise. He thought the Board should down to its by-laws, and have a Finance Committee, Board, and Visiting Committee. Why that was not done, he did not know. He thought they should get straight down to it, and there would be less piffle in the papers.

Mr H. G. Carter said that his remarks at the last meeting of the Board had, perhaps, been a little too direct, but he could not overlook what had been reported by the Committee that went round regarding cockroaches and general hygiene. He thought he had remarked that he blamed the Matron. All looked to the Matron for correctness and hygiene in the hospital. It was her job to see that things complained about were cleaned up, and there was no need for them to come to the Board table. Board members, he thought, would agree with that. But he was sorry for the blunt manner in which he had laid blame on the Matron. Mr J. B. Kent: Perhaps th e matter should have been brought to her notice first. Mr Carter said that perhaps that was so, but it should not have beer, there for the visiting committee to see.' The Board did not grudge the Matron staff to keep the place in proper hygiene. However, he did want to express regret for the way in which he had spoken. He had nothing but admiration for the Matron and her staff. Mr A. Mosley said that the pests complained about were definitely very prevalent so far as the kitchen at the Nurses’ Home was concerned, but the Committee had seen no sign of them in the kitchen in the Mcßrearty Ward or in the main kitchen, though he understood that some were to be seen in the main kitchen at night. The Chairman asked if members did not think the Visiting Committee should go to those in charge and see if matters could be rectified, and then they could be reported if they were not rectified. Mr T. P. Ryan said it would be nice if it were so,' but the Committee was asked to report to the Board. He did not properly: understand the Secre-tary-Manager’s statement, and he thought there might be more behind it. He did not know why the officers had to retire whip, the Board discussed a few cockroaches. When the Visiting Committee had visited the Nurses’’ Home kitchen it was a disgrace, and no man would have it in his own home. Mr Kent expressed agreement with the Chairman’s attitude. Complaints were published before the Board know anything of the why and wherefore of them. The Board should be compelled to get back to the by-laws, and he wanted to move that meetings be convened according to the by-laws, not according to the whims oi pariicuiai members. . When another member, ot the board remarked that it had taken a long time to get a visiting committee, Mr Kent replied that it had been a seliappointed committee, and there • had been nothing but pin-pricks „ Mr J. E. Stokes said he did not understand why the executive officers should run out. He denied that he had pin-pricked. The facts were there and could not be denied. He did not think Mr Kent’s remarks were quite right just because the mover of the motion regarding the setting up ol a visiting committee had suggested who should be on the committee. It was practically a suggestion that some section was trying to cause dissention. Mr W. H. Parfitt seconded Mr Kent’s motion, saying he was in favour of abiding by the by-laws. Mr Mosley said that it was the Board that approved anyone who was suggested for the visiting committee. Mr Kent said he had intended to refer to the hospital committee. Mrs E. Parfitt said she could not understand why the executive oflicers had left the room. . , , , Mr Ryan said that since he had been on the Board there had never been any suggestion of a hospital committee. He had harped for a visiting committee and if it had created a little friction he hoped it had done good. Anyone on the Boa d, if he did not put forward a little criticism if it was warranted and fairly, was not entitled to sit on e B °Mr d Mosley said that the Board had worked according to the hy-laws til a resolution had been t c meetings of the Board s h° u^L, m j f in open board, and not m .T Mr Kent said that the B( cou d not do that. Every al , terat *°” by-laws had to have the consent of

the Minister. Mr Mosely said that this might be so. but the Board had acted up to the resolution. Mr Stokes said that the Nurses’ Association had asked for an apology. Was the Board going to do that? The Chairman said that Mr Carter had expressed his willingness to apologise for the blunt way in which he had spoken at the last meeting. Mr W. Gutberlet said it seemed that the committee was going to go round, and if it saw anything it was not going to be allowed to report it. to the Board. He thought it was right to bring the matter before the Board. It would have been fair to report it to the Matron, but it should not have been there to report. Mr Ryan said he thought there was more behind what the Secretary-Man-ager had said than cockroaches, Mrs Parfitt and Mr Gutberlet e^P r essing agreement with this view. Mr Kent: It’s generally a small matter that brings a match to the gunpowder. The Chairman said that the provision under the by-laws was to try to have a matter rectified, and if it was not rectified it was reported to the Board. Mr Ryan said he thought the Board might appear ridiculous if they passed a motion that they carry on as thev should be carrying on. The motion was finally carried unanimously in a form suggested by Mr Ryan: That in future no action be taken by the Board unless it was in accordance with the standing bylaws. When Mr Carter remarked that the Board would have to decide on a reply to the Nurses’ Association, members expressed the view that the resolution passed constituted their reply.