CARE OF PATIENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22900, 1 December 1937, Page 14

CARE OF PATIENTS

DIRECTORS' POSITIONS TASKS FOR TWO EXPERTS OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT The division of authority, tho delegation of responsibility and the future of the present office of medical superintendent were points which aroused tho keenest discussion at tho Hospital Board meeting last night, when the proposal to seek the approval of the Minister of Health to appoint directors of medicine and surgery were presented. It was agreed to withdraw from the motion a statement "that tho office of medical superintendent bo abolished," and tho amended motion was carried by six votes to four. Mr.. Campbell had pointed out that the medical superintendent filled an administrative office, the chairman, the Rev. W. C. Wood, explained, and the committee, in recommending the appointment of a secretary-manager, saw difficulties in the possibility of a clash of authority between the manager and tho superintendent. The board's first responsibility was to tho patients and Mr. Campbell's report had been considered by the committee from this standpoint, with the result that it believed there should be two experts who would bo directly responsible to the board for tho medical and surgical treatment of every patient. As it was, the medical superintendent was divorced from his profession and, as an administrator, ho occupied a position unknown in other parts of the world. Matter to be Discussed Dr. E. B. Gunson said that if the clause referring to the abolition of the office of medical superintendent presented any difficulties to the board he thought members of the committee would be prepared to abandon it. If the new scheme were adopted, he believed the superintendent's position would become a sinecure. Mr. Wood said the motion would leave the matter to be discussed with tho Minister, which would bo a wise and courteous step. He commended the admirable work of the honorary staff, but expressed the opinion that it was unreasonable to leave the treatment of 13,000 people each year to mem who were serving only in an honorary capacity. "It can be shown that the committee was not unanimous in this recommendation," said Mr. W. G. Mulholland. Dr. Gunson: That is untrue. The recommendation was .unanimous and I press for the withdrawal of the remark. Member's Explanation Mr. Wood: Yes, it is contrary to fact. Will Mr. Mulholland please withdraw his statement? Mr. Mulholland: Mr. Bishop was on that committee and he did not give his support. Mr. G. T. Parvin: It is entirely wrong. Mr. Bishop voted for it. Mr. Bishop said ho was not present at the first meeting of tho committee and at tho second ho had explained that ho was not altogether happy about doing away with the office of medical superintendent. Mr. Wood had replied that it would bo all right. Dr. Gunson: You do not suggest the decision was not unanimous? Mr. Bishop: I was not happy about it. Mr. Wood: You received a typewritten copy of tho report and you voted for it. Mr. Bishop: If you like to put it that way, it was unanimous. Question of 00-operation The opinion was expressed by Dr. J. P. Hastings that the appointment of directors of medicine and surgery would assist in tho development of team-work and it was important that they should be afforded the opportunity of consulting with general practitioners. Other doctors could then give the benefit of their experience to the advantage of the patient and tho community. "The medical superintendent has not directed and dare not direct treatment to an honorary," said Dr. Gunson. "Tile man whom it is proposed to appoint medical director would be responsible to tho board and if there was serious conflict of opinion with an honorary it would have to be referred to tho board. There is not an honorary on tho staff who is going to be in disagreement." It had been said, lie added, that the honorary doctors were disturbed as to how the proposed arrangement was going to work. That was not a matter for the honorary doctors to decide. Their part was to co-operate with tho board. In answer to a member, Dr. Gunson expressed the opinion that the two posts could be filled by New Zealand doctors. "It has been put up to me to-day that I am applying for one of these positions, but 1 want to contradict that," said Dr. Gunson. "I am not interested." Mrs. A. G. Anderton said she could not see how the proposal was going to work harmoniously. A whole" stipendiary staff or even a partly paid staff would be acceptable. It would lie hotter, however, to defer the plan until the national' health insurance scheme was brought into operation by the Government. The present system was strongly defended by Mr. E. H. Potter, who said the honorary staff had given splendid service to the board. Tho proposed arrangement was an attempt to destroy tho honorary staff. To allow two men who might not be specialists to direct tho specialists who had knowledge of the hospital would be absurd. Tho motion was carried, its supporters being Mrs. Dreaver, Dr. Gunson and Messrs. Wood, J. H. Kinnear, J. Waddell and Parvin. The dissentients were Mrs, Anderton and Messrs. Potter, Mulholland and Bishop.