HOSPITAL OFFICIALS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3756, 9 March 1926, Page 78

HOSPITAL OFFICIALS.

QUESTION OF APPOINTMENT. SIR UNDO FERGUSON'S REMARKS. (From Our Own Cor res vdent.) WELLINGTON, March 1. The Hon. J. A. Young, Minister of Public Health, in reply to a question regarding the remarks of Sir Undo Ferguson with respect to the appointment of medical officers and which seemed to create some feeling amongst members of the Hospital Board Conference, said that no doubt Sir Lindo Ferguson’s criticism was well meant, and . hig address contained some good points. He was sure, however, that Sir Lindo Ferguson did not fully understand the position, or he would not have been so rough upon members of hospital boards when he made the statement that • “There was no bodv on earth more incompetent to judge the attainments of a member of the medical profession than the laymen who constituted the hospital boards, and he would suggest that the appointment of the medical staff of a hospital should he left in medical hands.” Mr Young said that this seemed to imply that the appointment of medical officers to hospital boards were made in a manner which suggested indifference to the essentials which should obtain in the selection of such important officers. Tf £3ir indo acquainted himself with the Hospitals Act he would find that “no appointment of a medical officer, including a member of the honorary medical staff, or of a matron, manager, engineer or secretary of the board, shall he made until the Minister has been notified of the intention to make such appointment.” The hoards were required under the Act to forward to the Minister a list of applicants. It was the duty of the Minister to submit to the board for its guidance such renorts nr. 1 recommendations as he thongh fit. and it Was the dutv of the board in accordance with the statute, to give due and fair consideration to such recommendations before making anv appointment. The Minister said he could give an assurance that almost without exception the appointments made hv the hoards during recent vears had been most, admirable, and no complaints bad been made «> the department with regard to the appointment of medical officers Needless to sav the decision of the Minister with respect to professional qualification*- o f members of the staff would he in accordance vith the advice furnished hv him bv bis responsible advisers, therefore, there was not the ground for fears, much les9 the charges, which were levelled ct the hospital boards.