HOSPITAL STAFF

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22259, 6 November 1935, Page 12

HOSPITAL STAFF

WAIHI'S TROUBLES SUGGESTION BY DIRECTOR SUPERINTENDENT'S POSITION RECONSIDERATION ADVOCATED [IHOSI OTTE OWN CORRESPONDENT] /■ "WAIHI. Tuesday .Reinstatement of the medical superintendent, Dr. L. R. Hethc-rington, who resigned following the decision of the board to re-employ a nurse he had dismissed, was suggested as a likely solution of the Waihi Hospital staffing problem in a lettei 1 from the DirectorGeneral of Health, Dr. M. H. Watt, which was read at a special meeting of the Waihi Hospital Board this evening.

" Before dealing finally with the board's recent applications for approval of the appointment of Dr. Archibald Jenkins, of Pukemiro, to the position of medical superintendent and of Mrs. Paddock, of Parnell, to the position of matron, it is desired to suggest that the matter bo reconsidered by the board with a view to determining whether it would not be possible to reinstate Dr. Hctherington as superintendent," wrote Dr. Watt. " It is believed that an amicable settlement could now be effected, as it is understood that. Dr. Hetherington has already freely acknowledged that the board has the ultimate right to control dismissal of staff and that the board, on its own part, is willing to acknowledge that the resolution relating to the re-emplovment of the ex-hospital aid was not intended to cast any reflection on Dr. Hetherington's capabilities, or to be in any way an expression of lack of confidence in him. Possible Difficulties "It is considered that unless the above suggestion is given effect to, the board will continue to find itself faced with extreme difficulty in obtaining medical and nursing assistance to enable the work of the Waihi Hospital to be properly carried out, whereas it is confidently anticipated this difficulty would disappear if Dr. Hetherington resumed his duties." Mr. F. J. A. Campbell said that if the department had had an admission that an amicable settlement could be reached by reinstating the doctor, the board had not had it. The chairman, Mr. A. E. Robinson: At the last meeting the doctor really admitted that the board was within its rights in reinstating the nurse, but that he had considered the action to be a vote of no confidence in him, bo. that he could do nothing other than resign. Discussion in Committee Mr. R. C. Seath said the board should have got together and got things settled. Tho chairman should have given a lead. Mr. A. E. Johnson: Why this sidetracking? Twenty-one ciays notice of the appointment of Dr. Jenkins has been given the Minister of Health. Mr. Seath: This communication is from Wellington, not from Dr. Hetherington. The Chairman: The doctor is prepared to discuss the matter with the board. It was decided to discuss the matter with Dr. Hetherington in committee.