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In this report, the Director reports that everything at the Hospital is going smoothly, the Director General having visited recently and been satisfied with everything he saw. He recommends that the Nurses and Sisters at the hospital receive two weeks of leave every six months, like their military counterparts, as they only received one week at the time. Apart from one Officer all workers at the hospital wished to stay on, but most could only commit to a three month contract until they had a better idea of what the situation was with their families at home. The three month contract would not allow them to receive any bonuses, and they must commit to one or the other by the end of August that year. Lieutenant Henry on the hospital staff had applied for another position, and would need replacing if he is successful. The Surgeon-in-Chief recommended no longer maintaining a full-time anaesthetist who would not do other work, as was the current situation, as the assistant surgeon was able to perform both jobs, thereby reducing costs. He ends his report by reiterating his desire to relinquish his command and return home, and includes a separate letter to that effect, stating he had only intended to be away from home for six months and had been gone almost a year.
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Army Post office, S.11,
British Expeditionary Force,
France.
14.6.16.
Suggestions adopted
My Lord,
Everything is going satisfactorily with the
Hospital. The Director General, Sir Arthur Sloggett, visited
the Hospital on Monday and again expressed his great satif-
faction with it.
The Military Army Sisters and Nurses are now
getting a fortnights leave every six months, and I would
suggest that out Sisters and Nurses should be granted the same –
instead of seven days as at present.
The whole of the present staff of Officers with
one possible exception are willing to re-engage, but most of
them can only undertake to serve for a further three months
from July 14th, so far as they know at present, but if their
home affairs permit they will continue for the full six months.
I have pointed out to them that under such an agreement they
will not be entitled to the bonus or any portion of it, and I
would also suggest that they must give a definite answer by the
end of August as to whether they will remain the full six
months in order to afford time for their replacement.
Lieut. Henry has applied to join the R.A.M.C.
“on conditions”, if his application is granted we shall have
to find some one to replace him.
The Surgeon-in-Chief, Major Maynard Smith,
informs me, and I agree with him, that he does not consider
there is sufficient work to keep a pure Anaesthetist fully
employed. The present Anaesthetist Captain Collum is a pure
Anaesthetist and not prepared to take over any other work. It
is suggested therefore that his agreement with the Hospital
shall terminate on July 14th. in the ordinary course, and that
one of the Junior Surgeons, who is also an Anaesthetist, Lieut.
Beckett shall perform the duties of Anaesthetist in addition to
his duties as an Assistant Surgeon, and that he shall receive
the emolument that was drawn by Captain Collum, namely at the
rate of £600. per annum instead if his present pay of 25/-
a day and a bonus. Also that another Assistant Surgeon shall
be appointed to the Hospital. This change will increase the
efficiency of our staff without increasing our expenditure as
the actual payment for salaries will remain as before.
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Referring to my own affairs I regret after
mature consideration that private affairs will necessitate
my relinquishing the Command of the Hospital on the
completion of my year of service, about the 14th July next.
I am notifying the Military Authorities accordingly with a
view to obtaining their permission to resign my Command.
I have the honour to be,
Your Lordship’s obedient servant,
(Signed). J.R.A. Clark
The Director,
The Ambulance Department,
St. John’s Gate,
Clerkenwell, E.C.
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Army Post Office, S.11,
British Expeditionary Force,
FRANCE.
14.6.16
My Lord,
I am in receipt of your letter of the 3rd
inst. referring to my relinquishing the Command of this
Hospital on the termination of my years service here.
I am very greatly honoured by the kindly
appreciation of the Council of the work I have done up to
the present, and it is with very great regret that after
mature consideration I am still compelled on the plea of
private affairs to ask to be relieved of my Command.
My original intention was to be away from
home for six months only, sufficiently long as I thought
to bring the Hospital into a condition which it could
be handed over to my successor as a smoothly running concern.
The six months will very shortly have extended
to a year and the Hospital I think I may say is complete and
efficient in every way and can be handed over to my successor
simply to “carry on”.
Under these circumstances the Council will
I trust forgive me is I cannot see my way to fall in with
their wishes.
I remain,
My Lord,
Your obedient Servant,
(sgd.) J.R.A. Clark
The Director,
The Ambulance Department,
St. John’s Gate, E.C.
