RADICAL CHANGES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23363, 1 December 1937, Page 12

RADICAL CHANGES

• HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION REORGANISATION AT AUCKLAND United Press Association* ; - AUCKLAND, Nov. 30; Far-reaching changes in organisation radical to- New Zealand, but stated to be in line with overseas procedure, were adopted by the Auckland Hospital Board at a special meeting to-night. As a result of a decision to terminate the i engagement of employees who have reached the retiring age or period, the secretary (Mr H. A. Someryille) will retire. It is intended to appoint a manager-secretary, who will act as administrative head of the board's activities, and steps will also be taken to gain the approval of the Minister of Health (Mr P. Fraser) to the appointment of a director of medicine and a director of surgery. The decisions were the outcome of the recommendations of a special committee, which was set up to consider the final points raised in the report on the organisation of the board's institutions by Mr G. Grey Campbell, a public accountant. In view of the comprehensive nature of the recommendations a wide diversity of opinion was revealed. A division was necessary on the majority of the points and. with interjections frequent, the meeting developed stormy characteristics on several occasions,. After nearly four hours' discussion the following resolutions had been carried:— (1) That those employees of the board who have reached the retir-ing-age or period be given three months' notice of the termination of their engagement, the board to consider the terms of their retirement. (2) That all employees on superannuation retire on the retiring dates, according to age or periods of service. (3) That the Minister of Health be asked to approve of the appointment of a physician as medical director and a surgeon as surgical director, at salaries of £ISOO per annum, rising to £2OOO at the end of one year. , (4) That the resolution passed oh September 29, 1936, fixing the salary of the manager-secretary at £I2OO per annum, rising to £ISOO per annum by yearly increments of £IOO, be given effect, A direction was also given that in future close relatives should hot be employed and that where they are so engaged at the present time a rearrangement of their, work should be effected, if possible. It was also decided to discontinue the designation, "house manager."