AUCKLAND HOSPITAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23369, 8 December 1937, Page 10

AUCKLAND HOSPITAL

METHODS OF ADMINISTRATION PROPOSED STAFF CHANGES HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S ATTITUDE (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, Dec.'7. The attitude of the Health Department towards the proposed staff changes recently considered by the Auckland Hospital Board was explained in a report presented to a committee meeting of the board tonight. The report was the result of a delegation to the Minister of Health (Mr P. Fraser) at Wellington on Monday, when the delegation interviewed the Minister. Dr M. H. Watt. Directorgeneral of Health Dr Shore. Director of Hospitals, and Mr A. V. Keisenberg.

The report stated that the outstanding conclusion reached was that the proposal to attach to the staff two senior medical men. one medical and one surgical, for the purpose of clinical work and medical and surgical supervision, was a move in the right direction. The department gave that part of the proposals its entire approval. It was suggested that these two officers should be known as the chief of the medical service, and the chief of the surgical service. The question of administrative control over the whole of the board's activities produced a lengthy discussion. , , There was still a large amount 01 administrative work which in the department's opinion could not be satisfactorily discharged by a lay secretary, the report stated. It was suggested that the medical and surgical officers, remembering that they were to undertake clinical work as well as supervision, would have their time fully occupied. Therefore, it was obvious that they could not be expected to take part in administrative work. There would still be the supervision of the various departments of the hospital, such as the X-ray, massage and out-patient, together wrtti the lnstrtution's infirmary, i convalescent home. Wilson Home, and Waiuku and Warkworth Hospital. The department suggested that in order to make the control complete. K should be a third medical man who might still be known as the superintendent and who would discharge within the hospital purely adminiftraTive functions and exercise supervision over the whole of tne scientific and medical services of the b °The're would be four controlling officials There would be a medical mar known as the superintendent, discharging the functions already . mentioned. Another would be the. senior medical man undertaking clinical work, who woSld be responsible to the board tor the entire medical work of the institution. He should have charge over he medical unit, which would include accommodation for not more than 30 general medical beds and 20 special medical beds. He should also be responsible for the carrying out of. the instructions of the honorary Physicians, who, as visiting officers, have been given authority and a certain responsibility, together with the registrars, with the object of. securing .co-ordina-tion and the efficient working of the medical side of the institution. The two other officers would be a senior surgeon and a secretary. JM surgeon would occupy on the surgical side of the hospital a position analagow to that of the medical officer. The secretary would be the chief executive officer, exercising authority under the board. He would be empowered to act on the board's behalf in all matters outside those specifically stated as appertaining to the three previously mentioned officials. „»„„„. "It will be observed," the report concludes, "that in this report we are still more or less dealing with general principles. Members will readily surmise a host of details in connection with organisation and administration. The board at its next meeting will move to take the necessary steps for authorising the calling of applications for the positions.