HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 17 May 1927, Page 4

HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

DR. FRAZER’S RESIGNATION.

RECONSIDERATION MOVED. DEFEATED ON CASTING VOTE. The resignation of Dr. J. L. Frazer from the position of medical superintendant of the Hawera Public Hospital was the subject of further discussion at the monthly meeting of the board yesterday and a motion that he be asked to reconsider his resignation showed an even division of opinion, the casting vote of the chairman deciding against the proposal. Subsequently the following motion was adopted unanimously:

“That Dr. Frazer’s resignation be accepted as given on April 7 and that the board gives him permission to hand over his duties as medical superintendent as from April 22; the board further regrets that any misconception regarding the termination of his appointment should have arisen.’’

The subject arose when, in reply to the board’s telegram asking for a departmental inquiry into the resignation of Dr. Frazer, the Director General of H-ealth (Dr. T. 11. A. Valentine) writing on May 4, stated that Dr. Frazer had stated his reasons for resigning and in honour bound to Dr. Frazer the director general could not discuss the matter further. “As Dr. Frazer has resigned I cannot hold an inquiry as the board suggests,’’ stated the letter. “At the same time it would be as well to review the applications which the board has already received for the position of medical superintendent. ’ ’

In accordance with notice Mr. A. L Campbell moved:

‘’‘That the resolution of April 7 accepting the resignation of Dr. •J. L. Frazer as medical superintendent be rescinded and that Dr. Frazer be asked to reconsider his resignation. ’ ’

In proposing the motion Mr. Campbell said it had been written by the Minister, the Hon. J. A. Young. “Dr. Frazer’s resignatinon,” he continued, “is an incident and mainly a matter for himself, but where it concerns the board is to know how Dr. Valentine (the Director of Health) came into the internal affairs of the board without- request from us. ADMINISTRATIVE ABILITY. “With regard to Dr. Frazer’s resignation, when last year I was chairman of this board I realised how little I knew of hospital management, and, having read of Dr. MaeFieachern’is opinion of the administration under Dr. Frazer at Palmerston North, I visited that hospital with our secretary, and spent two days lookine vavnd and going thoroughly into details of hospital work with Dr. Frazer. There was then no question of an appointment at Hawera. But later, when, the board decided to have a. full-time superintendent, I told Dr. Frazer I would be pleased to have an application from him as I knew of no one in New Zealand who had greater knowledge of what we required, nor would he better able to carry it out. We appointedhim, and he met us when we _ laid down a policy for him. I have made it my business ever since he came to keep in touch with the hospital and see how it has been carried out. He had from time to time told me of his difficulties.” Referring to the difficulties encountered by Dr. Frazer,. the speaker said he had been .informed by the doctor that the chairman’s policy seemed to be contrary to that laid down by the board. According to the doctor, the chairman seemed to be always visiting the matron, consulting with her and the honorary medical; staff and ignoring the doctor.

The chairman: ‘‘l challenge! that, and emphatically deny it. Continuing, Mr Campbell said the doctor thought, however, by patience and tact, that matters were gradually improving, and was therefore more than astonished at Dr. Valintine’s 'remarks.

MINISTER INTERVIEWED. “Now, Mr Chairman, as you stated here you did not know why Dr. Frazer resigned, and that Dr. Valintine was the only one who could give, this information,, 1 travelled to Wellington and interviewed the Minister, with. Mr Dickie, M.P. Dr. Valintine was also E resent, and I asked him if he had a.ppened to come to Hawera, on April 7, by coincidence or by special imvitation. Dr. Valin/tirne H-esifcarbed to roply ; but finally -admitted that he had letters from Mr GUlanders. In reply to a question, the ‘Minister said. “All communications should come through the secretary by resolution of the • board. ’ “Dr. Valintine said he had a talk with Mr Gillanders, the matron, amd members of the honorary medical staff. He learned there were difficulties in the Hawera Hospital and was led to believe they were due to Dr. Frazer. The things he mentioned were very vague, either incorrect, or were characterised bv the Minister as being too trivial to merit any inquiry. “The Minister asked Dr. Valintine if there were any aspersions against Dr. Frazer’s character, and Dr. Valintine replied, “No; nothing.’’ Dr. Valintine said the nursing staff, the hon. medical staff and the board were up against Dr. Frazer. I asked about the board, and he said he was led to believe the board was. “Now, did any member of the board sav this to Dr. Valintine?” The chairman (Mr F. Gillanders) and other voices: “No!”

Continuing, Mr Campbell ,said Dr. Valintine had said he advised Dr. Frazer to resign as a friend, as the odds were too great against him. “I interviewed the Minister again, with Dr. Frazer,” said Mr Campbell, “and Mr Young told Dr. Frazer what Dr. Valintine had said, and questioned him regarding these matters. He again told us the matters appeared too trivial for an inquiry, and that Dr. Frazer should not have sent in his resignation. He to’d me he could not understand the hoard allowing it to go through without any questions.” The motion was seconded by Air G. W. Tayler. Air A. T. Wills proposed that Dr Frazer should bo requested to attend the meeting. His motion to that effect was debated, but was adopted on the voices. NOT ASKED TO RESIGN. Addressing the meeting, Dr Frazer said be had been advised by Dr Valintine that difficulties -were apparent between the speaker and the matron, the honorary medical staff and the board. “Having been, as far as I am aware, as courteous and considerate as possible, and having refrained, on the suggestion of Dr Valintine, from endeavouring to introduce new measures too quickly, I am at a loss to understand why such

an impression was given, ’ ’ continued Dr Frazer. Referring to statements made concerning the matter, Dr Frazer said: “I was not requested by Dr Valintine to resign the position of medical superin- , tendent. ” Dr Frazer urged that there had not been the slightest feeling of animosity, between himself and the staff or the board. He had resigned for business reasons and also because he considered he was not being given the required authority in the hospital,, and the Minister had further intimated that he was foolish to Tesign. The chairman intimated that if any suggestion, had been made -to the effect that Dr Frazer had been requested to resign it had not come from the board. After the retirement of the doctor Mr Campbell urged that the former had not been treated fairly throughout the early stages of the mattter. He pointed out that Dr Frazer had been .through three wars as a medical officer and, in the speaker’s opinion, he had a wonderful record of work. VOTING EVEN. On being put to the meeting, the motion showed an even division of opinion, Messrs A. L. Campbell, A. T. Wills, G. W. Tayler, A. G. Larcom and E. J. Gif- t ford voting for, and the chairman and Messrs M. C. Crighton, J. S. McKay, E. A. Washer and J. J. Meldon voting against it. The casting vote of the chairman was given against motion, which was therefore declared lost. Following further discussion, Dr Frazer was recalled and, in reply to an inquiry, intimated ho would prefer to bo relieved of his duties as early as possible. Replying to Mr Gifford, the chairman said that there was no suggestion that Dr Frazer had been dismissed by tho board, the resignation having been made voluntarily. This was also stressed by Mr Meldon. On the proposal of Mr A. L. Campbell, seconded by Mr J. S. McKay, the motion already quoted with reference to the, termination of the appointment was carried unanimously.