1881 - 1900

Background to the medical staff structure
To understand the staff structure of the new hospital in Newtown, one needs to know something of the staffing of the old Thorndon hospitals and the impact on the medical staff of changes in hospital administration.
For twenty years until his retirement in 1879, Dr Alexander Johnston was Provincial Surgeon in charge of the Colonial Hospital in Thorndon. During the latter part of that time, he received some assistance from, in turn, Drs Reid, Keating and Gillon, who acted as Resident (House) Surgeons. Until 1876, the Wellington Provincial Government was responsible for hospital administration, but the hospital was chronically under-funded and at times, Dr Johnston did not receive his due salary. In 1876, after the passing of The Abolition of the Provinces Act, hospital administration passed to General Government, but by 1879 it had become the responsibility of the Wellington City Corporation. On 9 August 1879, the weekly newspaper, the NZ Mail, reported: " The newly appointed honorary medical staff of the Wellington Hospital, namely the Hon. Dr Grace and Dr Diver as surgeons, and Drs Collins and Kemp as physicians, commenced their duties on August 1. Dr Johnston having retired from the position of surgeon-superintendent. A meeting of the staff was held on Thursday 31 July at the hospital, when the Hon Dr Grace was appointed chairman. The following regulations were passed:- 1) The duties of the house surgeon to be to see patients at the surgery, calling in the physician or surgeon of the week, as their opinion may be required; and 2) To carry out the instructions of the physician or surgeon in their absence. 3) In case of emergency the house surgeon to take immediate action, and report at once to the surgeon of the week. 4) The medical committee to meet on the first Friday of every month at 4.30pm. 5) That the City Council record and limit the length of treatment upon each ticket to six weeks. 6) That the Council be requested to extend to the honorary medical staff the power of recommending patients to the hospital. 7) That a set of books be obtained for the use of the medical board. The newly-appointed staff will do duty week about, a surgeon and physician being appointed for each ward." Dr Gillon was the house surgeon. The administration of the hospital was the immediate responsibility of the City Council's 'Hospital Committee' chaired by Dr Diver who was also a City Councillor. Top of Page

Background to the medical staff structure

To understand the staff structure of the new hospital in Newtown, one needs to know something of the staffing of the old Thorndon hospitals and the impact on the medical staff of changes in hospital administration.

For twenty years until his retirement in 1879, Dr Alexander Johnston was Provincial Surgeon in charge of the Colonial Hospital in Thorndon. During the latter part of that time, he received some assistance from, in turn,
Drs Reid, Keating and Gillon, who acted as Resident (House) Surgeons. Until 1876, the Wellington Provincial Government was responsible for hospital administration, but the hospital was chronically under-funded and at times, Dr Johnston did not receive his due salary.
In 1876, after the passing of The Abolition of the Provinces Act, hospital administration passed to General Government, but by 1879 it had become the responsibility of the Wellington City Corporation.

On 9 August 1879, the weekly newspaper, the NZ Mail, reported:

" The newly appointed honorary medical staff of the Wellington Hospital, namely the Hon. Dr Grace and Dr Diver as surgeons, and Drs Collins and Kemp as physicians, commenced their duties on August 1. Dr Johnston having retired from the position of surgeon-superintendent. A meeting of the staff was held on Thursday 31 July at the hospital, when the Hon Dr Grace was appointed chairman. The following regulations were passed:-
1) The duties of the house surgeon to be to see patients at the surgery, calling in the physician or surgeon of the week, as their opinion may be required; and
2) To carry out the instructions of the physician or surgeon in their absence.
3) In case of emergency the house surgeon to take immediate action, and report at once to the surgeon of the week.
4) The medical committee to meet on the first Friday of every month at 4.30pm.
5) That the City Council record and limit the length of treatment upon each ticket to six weeks.
6) That the Council be requested to extend to the honorary medical staff the power of recommending patients to the hospital.
7) That a set of books be obtained for the use of the medical board.
The newly-appointed staff will do duty week about, a surgeon and physician being appointed for each ward."

Dr Gillon was the house surgeon. The administration of the hospital was the immediate responsibility of the City Council's 'Hospital Committee' chaired by Dr Diver who was also a City Councillor.

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