GORE HOSPITAL

Otago Witness, Issue 3333, 30 January 1918, Page 5

GORE HOSPITAL

LIVELY PROCEEDINGS. BOROUGH COUNCIL REQUESTS AN INQUIRY. Dr T. Scoular Fleming recently wrote to Gore Borough Council, asking for permission to appear before the council in order to bring before its notice what he termed a matter of grave public importance —viz., the treatment and attitude towards his patients and himself at the Gore Public Hospital. The town clerk's action in notifying Dr Fleming to appear before the council at 8 p.m. on the 21st inst. was approved. Prompt to time (the Mataura Ensign reports) Dr Fleming appeared, and when the Mayor called on him to speak Dr Matthews stepped forward and asked "As a ratepayer I want to know what Dr Fleming is here for?" The Mayor: Dr Fleming wrote and requested an audience, and we consented to hear him, and he is now hero on our invitation. Dr Matthews: I asked because I am the only ratepayer here. Cr Martin: There are at least 13 ratepayers here. —(Laughter.) Dr Fleming then proceeded to lay his case before the councillors. He stated that when he thought of removing"from Mataura to Gore as a precautionary measure ho obtained the opinions of Dr Rogers (Gore), Dr Barnett (Dunedin), and the British Medical Association. Dr Rogers replied that personally he had no objection to him (Dr Fleming) coming to Gore. The only object/on by anyone was that Dr MTlroy considered such a removal would be unethical in the eyes of the profession. Ho (the speaker, was due to go forward to his military duties to-morrow, but he had asked for threo months' leave of absence to see this matter through. Dr Matthews: Want matter?

Tne Mayor: Silenoe ! Dr Fleming proceeded to read a copy of his letter to the British Medical Association detailing- now he came to leave Mataura. Mataura, as they kneWi was a suburb of Gore —(laughter)— and 'it was not a big shift, yet when he lived down there he was almost cut off from practice associated with the hospital. All the other doctors had such privileges, and Dr Matthews had made £27 in fees for administering aiuestheties. Dr Matthews: You are a damned liar 1 •.The Mayor: Take your seat! Dr Mattnews : Not 'before i repeat he is a damned liar 1

Dr Fleming proceeded to read another letter and to comment on it. The British Medical Association, he said, did not con-s-Ciei' tnat lie nau contravened any of its rules and regulations, and yet one of the Gore doctors contended that his conduct was unethical.

Dr Matthews; Umphm! Wo contend nothing—— Tfle Mayor: Be quiet! Dr Fleming read another of tho letters, one ho had received from Dr Elliott. Dr Matthews: You are too one-sided. The Mayor: Sit down and say nothing.

Dr Fleming: We now come to the beautifully supine and puerile Southland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board's connection with this matter, and I will read a copy of Dr M'llroy's courteous and polite note to it —a note in which you will observe the tail wags the dog very considerably. " Personally (wrote Dr M'llroy on October 20) 1 know nothing of Dr Fleming—socially or professionally. Two cases were sent into i.->«pital by him since I took charge. Dr Matthews administered anaesthetics in both cases. As the responsibility of patients in hospital falls on the superintendent I consider, and did so in former hospital appointments, tho assisting and administering of aneesthetios in hospitals to bo the prerogative of tho superintendent. When Dr Fleming has gained the confidence of his colleagues he will in all probability share in their work." Dr Fleming continued; You will notioo that Dr M'llroy's contention overrides Dr Valin tine's Dr Matthews: It doesn't! It doesn't! The Mayor: You must give Dr Fleming a fair hearing. Dr Fleming proceeded to detail how matters culminated in a crisis on New Year's Day and how Dr Baird and he after a consultation ordered a patient to the hospital to bo operated on at once, and this was not done for a week. Dr Matthews: Are you sure your diagnosis was correct/ I repeat, are you sure The Mayor: For goodness sake be quiet. Dr Fleming continued to point out to councillors what he termed the "absolute scandal" which the present impossible position was creating, and how tho efficiency of the hospital was being impaired by a combine of doctors trying to squeeze him out of the town —a thing they would find they could not do. Dr Matthews vigorously dissented.

1 The Mayor: Bo qmet, I tell you. You make more noise than a lot of cows.- Pot! squabbling among themselves parsons, lawyers, and doctors beat anything I ever saw. Professional men are supposed to set an example to milkmen and labouring men. You, Dr Matthews—what kind of "beautiful example are you setting to anybody? FoX heaven's sako_ shut up and let the counoil ask Dr Fleming some questions. A question or two were asked, and then the Mayor remarked that the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board held that a maternity hospital was not wanted at Gore.

Dr Matthews: Neither it is. The private ones that are here arc cutting each other's throats for want of cases. Cr Ray: So are the doctors. Dr Fleming:: The Southland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board are virtually the judges in the case. I, as plaintiff, have documentary evidence, and the doctors in question will have to defend themselves. The Mayor: There is no doubt matters . cannot continue as at present. There must be a public inquiry. Dr Fleming gave another instance that '' (ho said) recently happened. Dr Matthews: It's all lies. Dr Fleming: It isn't! Dr Matthews: It is! Dr Fleming: It isn't. Sit down!' The-' Mayor: Yes, sit down, And shut up. • I think we should ask the paper not to publish this: Dr Fleming: I think we should let it publish it—especially the interjections. Dr Matthews: Seeing you won't let m» talk it'll only bo one-sided. Cr Look: Have ratepayers the right to como here and disturb proceedings and interrupt as they like? The Mayor: No, certainly not! It's only professional men looking for a. row .who'd do sucn a thing. They" look down on the working men, but behave worse themselves. Crs Rhodos and Ray moved—" That the • Southland Hospital and Charitable Aid! Board be asked, to hold a public inquiry into matters concerning the medical superintendence of the Gore Public Hospital." The Mayor: Has anyono an amendment t Dr Matthews: Yes, I have.. I move as an The Mayor i For God's sake sit down I The Mayor then put the motion, whichwas carried without a dissenting voice.