WAIHI CRISIS

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19664, 26 August 1935, Page 8

WAIHI CRISIS

HOSPITAL DISPUTE. SUPERINTENDENT RESIGNS. CONFLICT WITH BOARD. WAIHI, Sunday. The crisis in the affairs of the Waihi Hospital became more acute last night, when the medical superintendent, Dr. L. R. Hetherington, maintaining his rights to control the staff in the interests of the patients instead of being over-ruled toy the Hospital Board, informed the board at a special meeting that he would resign. A letter forwarded by the superintendent to the secretary of the board yesterday was discussed by the board iast night, with the urgent subject of replacing the staff. Reasons for Resignation. Dr. Hetherington’s letter stated:— “ Regarding your communication of the 2ist instant, in which I was instructed to reinstate Miss B. J. Howie, I beg to inform you that I have not reinstated Miss Howie, and would like you to bring the following facts before the notice of the board. “In dealing with patients I am solely responsible for their welfare, and under no circumstances is it possible either legally or professionally for me to remove this responsibility on lo the board, even if the hoard were willing to receive it and I wished to be relieved of it. This being the case, it is essential that I have a staff of nurses whom I consider efficient, and that I am able to dispense with the services of any found unsuitable. Miss Howie, after due trial, was found unsuitable, hence she was given notice of termination of her duty. In the face of this I find myself unable to carry out your order to reinstate Miss Howie, and unless this resolution is withdrawn and I am given full control of the staff I have no option but to tender my resignation.” Board Confirms Decisions. The special meeting of the board was called to consider the action of the chairman, Mr A. E. Robinson, in allowing Miss Howie to leave at her request, to consider the- resignations of the nursing and domestic staffs, and what provision should be made for staffing,- and to consider an application by Mr F. C. V. Clark, solicitor, for written reasons for the dismissal of the matron.

■ After discussion, Hie board confirmed its decision on the reinstatement of Miss Howie, and further agreed to accept all the resignations tendered by members of the nursing and domestic staffs. It was further decided to inform Mr Clark that the resolution of the board concerning the matron’s dismissal was considered sufficient to indicate the reasons for the action.

A letter was also received from the Director-General of Health, Dr. M. 11. Watt, pointing out that the board was taking upon itself a grave responsibility in coming into -conflict with the administrative head of the institution. Dr. Watt urged that the members of the hoard should review the matter of taking such drastic measures. An advertisement -calling for applications for positions as domestics appeared on the screen at a theatre last night, and the audiences showed by its comments an appreciation of the position.