Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer – Thursday 18 November 1937
Hospital to Be Reorganised
Drastic Proposals at Mexborough
Board’s Reply to Resignations
The result of the resignations of the entire medical staff of the Mexborough Montagu Hospital is.that the Institution Is to be converted from a cottage hospital to a modern general hospital.
That is the gist a statement Issued, to-nlght by Mr. J. N. Drake, secretary-superintendent on behalf the Board Management. The resignation of 23 local doctors and six consultants becomes operative on, Monday, and during the last week a sub-committee has been engaged in obtaining new medical staff.
For some’ years the hospital’ has depended two resident house surgeons, 23 local practitioners and six specialists. All have resigned, and from Monday the hospital will be in charge of a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, whose name has not been divulged.
The Board’s statement opens with a review of what described as the, “inaccurate statements made to the Press on behalf of the Medical Committee.” and points out that, as a result the Medical Committee’s intercession. the Board reinstated Dr.; Phyllis Leslie, the senior house surgeon, who was dismissed by the Emergency Committee.
Power of the Doctors
” The doctors,” it continues.” have always had absolute authority in the clinical work of the hospital; and rightly, so. but the medical committee they must have complete control on all professional matters and handed their resignations.. Faced with the alternative of betraying its trust the-board accepted the resignations and appointed a sub committee to arrange for the medical staffing of the hospital: ; Everyone, appreciates the work done by the doctors, and none more so than the Board Management, but it now the board’s duty to make arrangements for the future conduct of the hospital the changed circumstances thrust on them.
“It is the board’s Intention to build up the hospital’s services in such a manner that every subscriber no matter what his circumstances may be shall have at his disposal men of the highest qualifications and skill. The board do not intend that any but such possess these qualifications shall conduct major operations: Can they give these services together with those of a fully competent panel of specialists? They can and intend to do so. Moreover the cost will not equal what is now being paid. The hospital is at a turning point its history, and instead of certain cottage hospital services, which might have taken years to change, the Montagu Hospital will be a modern general hospital at a very early date ”
There would be an experienced medical staff and only consultants recognised in their speciality would be engaged.
“The board.” concludes the statement must have the full support, and confidence of its subscribers and asks for support in Its difficult task building up a general hospital service worthy of the people and the highest traditions of the district.”
Operation of New Scheme
Dr. J A. R. Lee. secretary the medical committee, commenting on the boards decision, said that officially It brought the matter to an end. ” But,” he added, “the scheme will not work smoothly and there will be trouble here for years. The position of doctors going to the staff of the hospital will be very uncomfortable. From our point of view they will be ‘ blacklegs.’ and they will not be received socially, by- any of the practitioners in the district.”
“It remains to be seen.” said Dr. Lee. “what the effect will be on the hospital’s patients and subscribers. I imagine that local practitioners will completely black-list the hospital and will not recommend their patients to there. They will certainly not attend them at the hospital, and If a patient—a subscriber to the hospital—wishes to Into the hospital he will do so on his own responsibility and without his doctor’s case-book being sent to the hospital’s, doctors.”
Dr. Lee thought it was probable that local practitioners would recommend their patients, to other hospitals.