WAIHI HOSPITAL MATRON

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1933, Page 7

WAIHI HOSPITAL MATRON

DISMISSAL BY BOARD DEPARTMENTAL FINDING. Waihi, April 22. The action of the Waihi Hospital Board in the matron of the Waihi Hospital, Miss M. K. Stevenson, three months’ notice of the termination of her engagement, as a result of an inquiry held by the board following a complaint by six members of the domestic staff, was recently the subject of an inquiry by Dr. R. A. Shore, of the Department of Health. His report has now been received by the board.

“An endeavour was made to'limit the scope of the inquiries to (a) whether there was sufficient justification for the board’s decision; and (b) whether the recent happenings called for any special representations to the board' affecting the future administration of the hospital,” stated the report “It is not necessary io review in detail the several complaints against the matron elicited by the board at its inquiry. Most of these complaints were trivial and were satisfactorily answered by the matron. The statements volunteered to us by the chairman and members of the board show clearly that some of the members voted for the dismissal of the matron on grounds additional to those appearing in the report of the board’s inquiry. It is also quite apparent that the views of some members were influenced by allegations and suspicions that had little or no real substance.”

“In our opinion the board had not sufficient reasons for its decisions affecting Miss Stevenson. However, while not agreeing that the board was justified in its action, we recognise that Miss Stevenson had incurred the antagonism of certain members, of the board by her manner in dealing with them. There had been at least two instances where she had been tactless in dealing with individual members who, at the time, were carrying out their duties as members of the House Committee.

“We consider Miss Stevenson an efficient and economical administrator, biit in the circumstances, it appears to us desirable that her connection with the Waihi hospital should close. This course is favoured entirely in the interests of internal harmony and no reflection whatever on Miss Stevenson is intended. “In regard to her actions affecting the staff, there is very little to which we consider exception could be taken, and nothing to warrant her dismissal. To avoid similar happenings in future, and to create a better atmosphere round the institution, it is important that the board should decline to consider complaints or allegations unless they are specific and are put in writing. ’“The tittle-tattle which has been prevalent inside and outside the institution should be discountenanced so far as lies in the power of the board and' the members. Visits by members of the House Committee should not be undertaken without reasonable notice to the medical superintendent or the matron and without their knowledge. The board should also insist that reports by administrative officers be made in writing to the secretary of the board or to a committee.’*