HOSPITAL CONTROL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22193, 21 August 1935, Page 13

HOSPITAL CONTROL

STATEMENT TO PEESS SUPERINTENDENT'S ACTION POLICY MATTERS DISCUSSED BOARD MEMBERS' OBJECTION The action of the medical superintendent of the Auckland Hospital, Dr. J. W. Craven, in making a statement to the press on what it was alleged were policy matters was criticised at a meeting of the Hospital Board yesterday. The statement was made by Dr. Craven following the public inquiries conducted by the board. Dr. E. B. Gunson had given notice of motion that in view of the medical superintendent's statements the board define the superintendent's position in regard to public statements on questions of policy. After discussion and an explanation by Dr. Craven had been given the motion was withdrawn. Dr. Gunson said that any statement by Dr. Craven should deal only with matters which came directly under his department, but he had discovered matters which definitely dealt with questions of policy, and could be callarl critical of affairs of the board. Dr. Craven should be very careful to avoid reflecting on any decision the board had come to.

Opinions Expressed Dr. Craven, he said, bad expressed opinions on the inquiry held into the death of a child at the hospital. He had referred to the necessity for increased accommodation, a matter which was then sub judice, being in the hands of a committee. To express his personal views when some members of the board held contrary views was very undesirable. He had referred to the proposed appointment of two highly qualified medical officers, the inference being that they were being appointed as admitting officers. This was not the case, and it was a matter for decision by the board. Dr. Gunson said he would contest very strongly the statement that the inquiries would have a depressing effect on the staff.

"The medical superintendent should confine himself to matters which directly concern him and which arc not policy and do not reflect on the board," Dr. Gunson concluded. Dr. J. P. Hastings said he objected to the reference to the unsettling effect of the inquiries, by which he interpreted that Dr. Craven objected to the board holding these public -inquiries. It amounted to the medical superintendent taking the position of schoolmaster with the board members as pupils. If that were so, he would prove to be a very disobedient pupil. Principle Supported

Mr. W. J. Mulholland said that personally he had read the statement with great interest and had agreed with it, but he wondered why it had been thought necessary to bring these matters before the public again. Ho contended that Dr. Craven had done no harm, but had alleviated the position as far as the public was concerned by stating that there need be no alarm about treatment at the hospital. He hoped the matter would not be taken too seriously. Stating that he agreed with Dr. Gunson, the Rev. W. C. Wood said the medical superintendent, whoever he was, should not discuss matters of policy in the press. In regard to other matters, such as the Quinton case, but apart from the question of extensions, he was glad Dr. Craven had done so. When a person made a charge against people it stuck in the mind and Dr. Craven had brought out the facts about the case and emphasised the actual truth regarding it. He could not let it pass that he thought the doctor was in error in bringing out the facts about these complaints, although he was in favour of the general principle laid down by Dr. Gunson. "Dr. Craven gave some very necessary information, but I think it would have been better for it to have come from the chairman," said Mr. W. A. Bishop. The chairman. Mr. W. Wallace, said he thought Dr. Craven had been a little indiscreet and the discussion should have hinted to him that he should be very discreet in such matters. Statement by Dr. Craven Dr. Craven said he had had no intention at any time of embarrassing the board and had no intention of criticising its policy. He assured the board of his loyalty and said he was there entirely to do what the board wanted him to do. The fact that had worried him at that time was that four nurses had resigned following the Quinton inquiry. He felt also that the public should not lose its confidence in the hospital. "I did not want people to set the feeling that they would rather die outside the hospital than come in," he said. Mr. J. H. Kinnear said a medical man had been able to tell him everything that had happened in the boardroom regarding the inquiry into Dr. Gould. It was a remarkable thing, he said, that the board could be in committee and that the matters discussed become known outside. Dr. Gunson said he had not brought the matter forward to convey any lack of confidence in Dr. Craven, but just to clear the air, and, with the permission of the seconder, Mr. E. H. rotter, he withdrew the motion.

DOCTOR'S POSITION

TERMINATED ENGAGEMENT BOARD CONFIRMS DECISION Further mention of its decision to terminate the appointment of Dr. H. L. Gould, assistant medical superintendent at the Auckland hospital and to grant him a compassionate allowance equal to three months' salary, was made at a meeting of the Auckland Hospital Board yesterday. Notice of motion had been given by Mr. E. H. Potter to rescind the resolution concerning I)r. Gould, and he moved that the following be substituted: —"That the assistant medical superintendent's engagement be terminated in six months' time and that he be given six months' leave of absence to the end of that time." When Mr. Potter moved his motion yesterday it lapsed for want of a seconder.