CRITICISMS RESENTED

Taranaki Daily News, 29 August 1930, Page 11

CRITICISMS RESENTED

MANAGEMENT OF HOSPITALS WELLINGTON BOARD OFFENDED. “MR. BEGG HAS CAUSED HARM.” By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Resentment at the criticisms of Mr. R. Campbell Begg, well-known Wellington surgeon, against the hospital system of New Zealand was expressed by members at to-day’s meeting of the Wellington Hospital Board, particular application of those remarks to the Wellington institution being assumed. It was stated that Mr. Begg’s opinions, had caused more harm than good. In answer to a question by a member it was explained that Mr. Begg’s appointment to the staff of the hospital had been for four years, but as he was absent from New Zealand at the time the. position fell, vacant the question of his r«-appointment had been held over. The chairman, Mr.- F. Castle, said that although Mr. .Begg, did not criticise .the Wellington hospital his association. with that institution had. been so, lengthy that, it was obvious he had .in mind .a good deal of what had gone on in the Wellington hospital. Consequently it was a question whether, the board should make an official reply. Mr. Castle did not think too much , notice should be given to the views expressed by Mr. Begg although some should be given. The . hospital system of New Zealand was not perfect but ’ Mr. . Begg had gone the wrong way in attempting to reform it. Regarding the alleged unfavourable comparison of New Zealand hospitals with institutions abroad Mr. Ca.stle said .there was no other country with a hospital system similar to that in New Zealand.

Mr. Begg was,, going .too : far in placing all the . responsibility-, for medical .difficulties on the board, said the chairman., Certainly the board was officially responsible for control of the medical staff but there was no doubt the organisation was largely in the hands of the medical men themselves. In listening to their recommendations the board did not attempt to interfere with their patients or the handling of the patients, but instead endeavoured to obtain opinions of the medical men. , If there were inefficient conditions existing in the Wellington hospital they were largely due to the medical staff itself. Mr. C. M. Luke said he did not know what knowledge Mr. Begg had of outside hospitals but he understood Mr. Begg had not been connected as a medical officer with any institution other than the Wellington hospital. The board welcomed and endeavoured to put into effect any suggestions made by doctors of Wellington who had been abroad, but Mr. Begg’s criticism was not creditable.