SURGEONS AND BOARD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 110, 12 May 1931, Page 11

SURGEONS AND BOARD

THE WELLINGTON HOSPITAI “IMPETUOUS YOUNG MEN” A LETTER OF EXPLANATION. For the purpose of a 10 per cent, cut the original assessment of the value of the "living-in” accommodation of tho house surgeons at tho Wellington Hospital is to stand. This was decided by the Hospital Board on Wednesday last, when the matter was again discussed. Other questions, involving conditions of work and quality of food were referred to the incoming board to investigate. When the board had disposed of its estimates the chairman, Mr. F. Castle, moved chat the question of assessing the value of the "living-in” accommodation of the house surgeons be referred to tho incoming board. "I think certain principles are involved in tho matter Yvhich should be eonsi jered by a larger committee than Mr Luke and I,” he said. The chairman said he appreciated a letter Yvhich had been received from the. house surgeons. It was as follows: "The house surgeons regret that the i members of the board have taken the view that by inserting an advertisement in tho paper the house surgeons wee attempting to ‘bludgeon’ them. Such is not tho case. The advertisement was inserted because a considerable number of tne house staff feel that with the present existing conditions it would bo advisable for them to seek positions elsewhere. i "They had no intention of seeking ; the publicity which subsequent events, and ti e reported remarks of the members of the board, have given to whit is after all a matter of limited iutcr- " Having, they hope, adequately explained their morU'o and action, they w rale: again respectfully beg the cor. sideration of the board of the matter referred to in the original lct:er.” Not au Apology. "It is very easy for a body of men to make a mistake in dealing with a matter of this kind, but ic is much more difficult to admit having made a mistake,” said the chairman. "To that extent? I think tho board appreciuces the position, if my suggestion adopted the whole matter can be dealt witli by the new board without prejudice. ’ ’ Alts. Fraser: Why the new board? Too chairman said the question was ‘oo involved and too lengthy co deal with before the election. "1 am glad these impetuous young men have sent this letter. It show> they realise the gravity of the mistake they made,” said Mr. C. M. Luke. Airs. Fraser: It is not an apology. Mr. Luke: No. it is not, quite that. I have no sympathy with the attitude ‘.hey took up. . . I think that in this btt.lo tussle we come out Yvith flying colours. The menu of the house surgeons is a menu that, the average work mg home in Wellington docs not approach. • ‘ Little to Complain About. ’ ’ -Mr. Luke said the nouse surgeons bad little to coinplain about. The amount over which tho trouble had arisen only meant £5 a year to each of the house surgeons. Some people, said Mr. Luke, seemed to think that thr men were paying £lOO a year for their accommodation. Such was not the case. The board provided was assessed at iliac sum. Mrs. AlcVicar: I don’t like that, let tor. It is not an apology; it is a bald statement. I would not accept ir. Mrs. Fraser: If the nurses did a thing like that they would be told to get out. The chairman ventured rhe opinion i that the board provided for the house I surgeons could not be obtained in th? city for £2 a week. Mr. Luke said he was prepared to stand by the assessment decided upon by Mr. Castle and himself. The chairman intimated that he would do likewise, and a motion assessing the value of the living-in accommodation of the house surgeons at £101) a year was canied unanimously. On the rrcoiiimen la’ion of the chairman the oilier questions raisetl by the doctors in their original letter were re ferrod to the incoming board to deal . with.