Payment of Visiting Medical Staff

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 121, 23 May 1940, Page 7

Payment of Visiting Medical Staff

DIVISION OF OPINION IN CHRISTCHURCH CHRISTCHURCH, May 22. The payment of £11,450 yearly to doctors of the honorary staff of the Christchurch Public Hospital was approved at a meeting of the North Canterbury Hospital Board. Formerly the doctors were admitted to the hospital on an honorary footing, but under the Social Security scheme, the Health Department approves payment on a parttime basis. The doctors will receive salaries of up to £550 yearly. Approval of tho salary scale, which is the product of months of negotiation, was vigorously opposed by two members of the board, who objected to the manner in which the resolution was brought forward.

When the decision was reached, Mr. K. E. Denton gave notice of motion to have it rescinded.

The chairman (Mr. L. B. Evans) said that the schedule of salaries had been arrived at by the board and the medical representatives at 6.30 on the evening before tho meeting. That was why

copies could not be sent out to members and why there were only two copies available now. Dr. A. R. Shore, Director of the Hospitals Division of the Health Department, had been telephoned when the schedule was agreed upon, and he said “yes" to it. Mr. Evans said that some of the rates in the schedule were lower than those put forward in Auckland and Wellington and some wero higher. Tho proposals were to operate for one year on trial.