MATRON AND BOARD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22193, 21 August 1935, Page 10

MATRON AND BOARD

THE WAIHI HOSPITAL SERVICES TERMINATED > NURSING AID'S COMPLAINT HARSH TREATMENT ALLEGED [BY TELEGHAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] WAIHI, Tuesday The dismissal of a nursing aid was discussed at a special meeting of the Waihi Hospital Board this evening, and after complaints by the nursing aid of her treatment by the matron, and a report by the medical superintendent had been considered, the board instructed the latter to reinstate the nursing aid and decided to dismiss the matron. The nursing aid concerned stated that the report of the matron, Miss M. K. Stevenson, to the effect that her services had been unsatisfactory, was not justified, and that she had been unfairly dismissed. She also contended that she had been badly treated by the matron and relegated to the lowest possible position given to an aid, and also that everything possible had been done to humiliate her in the hearing of her fellow members of the staff and the patients in the hospital. Why, asked the complainant, had the board in these circumstances recently recommended her for an increased salary? It was impossible, she added, to carry on the unreasonable duties which had been imposed upon her by the matron. The medical superintendent, Dr. L. R. Etherington, was asked to give an explanation, and said that the complainant's work had been most unsatisfactory, hence the notice of dismissal. Inquiries made had gone to show that her services had not been satisfactory in two hospitals where she had been previously employed. After the matron had replied to the complaints of the nursing aid there was a somewhat heated discussion by the members of the board, and it was ultimately decided, on the motion of Mr. F. Ward, that the medical superintendent be ordered to reinstate the nurse. It was also decided, on the motion of Mr. A. E. Johnson, to dispense with the services of the matron immediately, and also that she should receive three months' salary in lieu of notice. The' motion was carried by six votes to three.