View report page

79
Medical Staff.
J need hardly point out that what I have said as regards overworking of nurses applies equally
to the resident medical staff. The number of officers remains exactly what it was when the hospital
was an isolation hospital only, and when the average number of admissions was in the neighbourhood
of 700. For the year just ended the admissions were 1,703, and there is every prospect of that number
being exceeded this year. These figures speak for themselves. I am aware of the difficulties that
beset the Council regarding staff accommodation, but I trust they will see their way to add to the
number of medical officers as well as to increase the number of nursing staff. In connection with the
medical staff it is to be remembered that they have no set hours off duty, that they work seven days
a week and may be called on at any time of the night, and that if they have been able to take leave
from hospital it does not exceed a few hours per week.
Resignations of Staff.
As there has been considerable comment throughout the year regarding the resignations that
take place from time to time, and as considerable misunderstanding seems to exist as to the exact
reasons for these taking place, perhaps I had better give some explanation of the circumstances which
bring these resignations about.
It is to be borne in mind that in any hospital, no matter the size, resignations must take place,
and that it is not desirable that the resignation list should disappear altogether. A low resignation
list may be no matter for congratulation by the hospital authorities. It may mean slackness in
supervision by the officers in charge and that good, bad and indifferent staff are all retained, as well as
toleration of a low standard of work.
The circumstances which operate in this hospital and which cause such resignations as do take
place, and they are by no means unreasonable in number, are as follows:—
1. Every member of the staff is appointed subject to a probationary period of two months.
If she does not come up to the standard of requirements she is not retained; and, even
if she is retained and it so happens that subsequently she proves inefficient, her resignation
is called for. For it is not to be supposed that the Council desire to retain the
services of the incompetent or of any one who proves at any time incapable of making
them adequate return for their outlay.
2. Another reason is the heaviness of the work, especially as regards the nursing staff, to which
I have alluded.
3. The lack of suitable bedroom accommodation and staff quarters generally.
4. The fact that all the hospital blocks are separated from one another and unconnected by
covered ways, which means that the staff has constantly to go out into the cold and wet,
night or day, and of this they frequently complain.
5. There is in every hospital a small number of staff who have no intention of remaining in
any situation more than a few months, and reference to their records show that such
has been the habitual custom of these particular people in other situations.
If due consideration is given to these five points I feel that any doubt which may have existed
as to the reason for the resignations which take place will now be removed, and that it will be under-stood
that every member of the staff is given a fair chance. It is not to be expected that the resignations
will diminish or that they will remain as they are; possibly they may increase. The Council has
started a vast scheme, the failure or success of which must depend to an extent on their hospital, which
in its turn must rely on the high standard of work of its staff. Large numbers of staff may be engaged
on probation, but only those of merit will be retained, for it rests alone with them if the object the
Council has in view is to be attained.
I am, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
W. J. J. STEWART,
Medical Superintendent.