THE TIMARU HOSPITAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CIV, Issue 15867, 24 January 1916, Page 9

THE TIMARU HOSPITAL.

To the Editor of the "Timaru Herald." Sir.—When will the people of Timaru wato up to reause Uiat they are Josuig the best matron the Timaru Hospital has ever hud —ones who lias served tneni well lor tue last nine years, and who lias brought the hospital to its present state of proficiency, one who had years of experience in tho "Wellington Hospital before she came to Timaru? Has the chairman of the Hospital Board visited the hospital (as lie biiould have done) regular*y enough to be able to judge an excellent matron from a bad one? I suppose it is left, liko other Things in the Timaru Hospital, to the secretary to adjudicate upon. The statement published in the ''Timaru Herald" on Wednesday, January 19 that "The Board had nothing to thank the hon. medical staff for; it was they who were making all the profit out or the hospital, and the sooner they got rid of them the better" is calculated to convey a. totally wrong impression to the public, and is on a par with the other insinuations wnich have been made. The visiting doctors make no profit, but give their services gratuitously without fee or reward. Is it nob time that the ratepayer should consider whether certain members of the Board are worthy to occupy the (position they now hold ? "What are hospitals for, but to minister to the needs of all, especially the poor? Are you raising a hosnital to a. higher level by mak : ng it a- monov-making institution? "With the honorary visiting staff, the pat'eut; of the and tho Resident Medical Officer receive freelv the skill and counsel uiat only an everwidening experience can give. Are our returned wounded men to be attended to fcy raw students to suit certain members of the Board, who sav tb.ev hav<* nothing to thank an hon. medical fttrff for? Am I to assume that the ladv mernhei- of the Board (a. nurse) is one of these.—l am. etc OXI HAS ' FORKED FOR MAM YEARS IN HOSPITALS.

[\\ e have deleted from t'nis letter certain statements referring to the. matron, because wo think those exceedingly ill-designed to bo of bonelit- to her, and specially inadvisable when there is a possibilitv <ii another inquiry being held. With regaid to another t bv our correspondent, winch mignt bo alarming to the public, ; t j. s f n i r t „ say that the Board has decided to appoint a, second fnliv nualified medical otneer at the hospital, and will call m. . ;m d pay for, other prn-ie.-sional assistance when it 1* required .—Editor "Timaru Herald."]