Please wait. Contacting image service... loading

Article text

CANBERRA HOSPITAL
RESIGNATION OF
CHAIRMAN
Mr. McFadyen Transferred to
Melbourne
Owing to his transfer to Melbourne
on Departmental duties for the dura-
tion of the war, the chairman of the
Canberra Hospital Board (Mr. C. H.
McFadyen) last night tendered his
resignation at a special meeting of
the Board.
The resignation was accepted with
regret, and a panel of three names
will be submitted to the Minister for
Health with a recommendation that
one should be selected to fill the va-
cancy.
Mr. McFadyen said that he was
grateful to the members of the Board
and the staff of the hospital for their
loyal support and co-operation during
his term of office.
As a member of the original Hos-
pital Advisory Committee and as a
member of the Board since the in-
ception of board government of the
hospital, he stressed certain matters
which he considered were of particu-
lar importance in the successful op-
eration of the contributory hospital
scheme which had become identified
with Canberra.
It was possible, he said, that in
the near future representations may
be made toward reducing the status
and salary of the medical superinten-
dent as a means of effecting economy.
However, he considered such a pro-
posal should be resisted. A reduc-
tion of salary should be contem-
plated only if the national economy
demanded similar sacrifices from the
community in general. It was essen-
tial for the protection of the public
that a skilled medical officer be em-
ployed by the Board. Neither the
Board nor the public could submit
to the engagement of a junior medi-
cal officer with little or no practical
experience.
Mr. McFadyen expressed the opin-
ion that the hospital was now func-
tioning in a more efficient manner
than at any time previously, due
mainly to the spirit of co-operation
existing among all the staff.
The Minister for Health (Sir Fred-
erick Stewart) had met the Board's
requests in a sympathetic manner,
and it was believed that by his advo-
cacy of the Board's case, the Minister
may shortly be in a position to an-
nounce that the new hospital was to
be proceeded with.
It was essential in these days that
the Board will endeavour to carry on
with the idea of preserving what it
held, rather than venturing on diffi-
cult waters with the prospect of ship-
wreck at the end. There would be
ample time for advancement when
national economy improved.
Mr. McFadyen paid a tribute to the
work of Board members, and also to
former members. Messrs. Crapp,
Green, White and Evans, without
whose co-operation the service now
operating would not have been pos-
sible. He also expressed appreci-
ation of the work of the Women's
Auxiliary, 2CA Women's Club and
other organisations, and for the ef-
ficient service rendered to the hospi-
tal by the secretary (Mr. S. Ander-
don).
The resignation was accepted with
rerrret on the motion of Archdeacon
C. S. Robertson and Mr. W. Hurley.
On behalf of the Board members,
Archdeacon Robertson presented Mr.
McFadyen with a fountain pen, suit-
ably inscribed, as a mark of their
appreciation of his guidance and un-
derstanding of hospital problems dur-
ing his term as chairman.
Mr. S. Anderson, on behalf of the
executive staff, handed Mr. McFady-
en a shaving set, with an inscription
indicating their appreciation of his
work.
Mr. L. D. McAndrew said that the
chairman had been actuated by
desire to serve the public and the
hospital to the best of his ability, and
the present position occupied by the
hospital in public estimation had in
large measure been due to his ad-
ministrative capacity.
Archdeacon Robertson stated that
the team spirit had characterised the
work of the Board, brought about
by the leadership of Mr. McFadyen
at a time when the hospital was ex-
periencing a very difficult period. At
one stage the Board had been faced
with much criticism from outside,
some of which was justified. How-
ever, the Board had effected reforms
and the hospital was now held in
respect.
Mr. W. Hurley said that all sec-
tions of the community would regret
Mr. McFadyen's departure. During
his 12 years' residence in Canberra
he had taken a prominent interest in
many local bodies.
Mr. J. C. Garran and Dr. D. G. Mac-
Kellar also expressed their appreci-
ation of the work done by the retir-
ing chairman for the hospital.
Mr. McFadyen, in reply, said that
he had had a real interest in the
hospital and in its associated
schemes. It was an efficient unit
and would become more so if a new
hospital could be provided. He be-
lieved that despite the difficult times
through which the nation was pass-
ing, the Government would see its
way to give Canberra a new hospi-
tal. He appreciated the loyalty of
members and would leave Canberra
with regrets but with a feeling that
the hospital under the Board's guid-
ance would continue to progress.
$