DUTIES OF A NURSE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 183, 1 August 1908, Page 9

DUTIES OF A NURSE.

The case in which Margaret O'Hagan, a nurse, sued J. Donald for £ 5 5/ for alleged wrongful dismissal was concluded yesterday afternoon. Mr Morpeth appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr McGregor for the defendant. In the course of her evidence, Bertha Wood, nurse, said 'that she sent the plaintiff, as a substitute for herself, to the defendant's house. Mr Kettle: "Seeing how things have gone in this case, you -would not adopt the same course again?"—"lndeed, I would not." To Mr McGregor, witness said that if the doctor and patient were dissatisfied with her she would not stay in the house demanding payment. Dr. Bull remembered the plaintiff's having charge of one of his cases, and he was quite satisfied with her treatment of the patient. Dr. Keith and Dr. Murphy concurred in this opinion, speaking from various cases which had come under their notice. The defendant, John Donald, said that he informed the plaintiff that the doctor, the patient, and himself were dissatisfied with her. Plaintiff refused £4 4/, which he offered to her, and demanded £10. Dr. King said that the only reason he gave to the nurse for her dismissal was that Mr and Mrs Donald -were dissatisfied with her. When giving his instructions about the patient's diet, he had meant anything in reason, and did not include onions in the list. Mr Kettle expressed the opinion that the plaintiff should have accepted the £4 4/ offered to her. On the evidence he did not think he would be justified in coming to the conclusion that the nurse was incompetent. The evidence in such cases should be clearly convincing. For the patient's own good, the nurse should withdraw if her charge showed any antagonism towaTds her. Judgment was given for the plaintiff for £4 4/, without costs.