DEATH OF A CHILD.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 65, 18 March 1925, Page 11

DEATH OF A CHILD.

AIXEGED INFECTED CASE. AUCKLAND HOSPITAL INCIDENT. An allegation that his child, taken to the city hospital suffering from measles, hud there contracted scarlet fever which proved fatal, was made by an Auckland business man in a letter to the Hospital Board in which he stressed three important points in the , interests of other patients. The letter was read at last evening's meeting of the board. He emphasised the absolute necessity j for an observation ward for use until i the hospital doctors were satisfied that ailments had been correctly diagnosed. He had reason to believe, he averred, that his own child contracted scarlet fever some time after being admitted to the hospital. In the second place, he expressed strong objection to a fourth year medical student, who, lie was led to believe, was not fully qualified, being permitted to practise on a serious case such as that of his child. His third point was that, as a matter of ordinary courtesy, parents should be notified if a case became serious. Pie alleged that his child was seriously ill for four days without his being notified, and that it was only on his visiting the hospital on a .Sunday afternoon that he found out there had been a change. Dr. Maguire reported to the board that the child, three years of age, was I admitted on January 1, ?«nd was sent in by a doctor as a case of scarlet fever. A gastric attack and measles had appeared. The patient was placed in. a side-room with another patient who later proved to be scarlet fever. If the child did not have scarlet fever on admission, presumably she contracted it from the other patient. TJie attack was very severe and was completed by pneumonia, the child dying on January 31. Dr. Magtiire said he was in thorough agreement regarding the need for an ! observation ward and had brought the matter under the notice of the board on several occasions. The statement in regard to the student was not strictly correct, he continued. The man in question expected to qualify this year. He was exceptionally keen and cleVer at his work, but all he did was to observe and report. He did not order treatment for the child. The child was under the care of a doctor and three other doctors made examinations. Dr. Maguire added that he personally saw the patient daily and that she had a special nurse. In regard to the last point, he had been assured by the sister in the ward that as soon as the child was considered seriously ill, the parents were informed, such being , the regular rule. The Chairman (Mr. W. Wallace: The child was sent to hospital as a case of scarlet fever, therefore it is undoubted that she had scarlet fever. How then could she contract it in hospital? Dr. Maguire: The other little girl was a very doubtful case and this little girl was considered doubtful, although I thought she had scarlet fever. If we have the accommodation we put them in separate rooms. Mr. Coyle: An outside doctor's diagnosis is not accepted as conclusive and final. Mr. Potter: I understand the case was not diagnosed as scarlet fever. My informant is absolutely reliable. It was a case of measles. The child had been under a qualified nurse. When the case was taken to hospital it was not diagnosed as scarlet fever. I can give all the information to the Finance Committee. Mr. Howitt: This is a very important matter. Why the Finance Committee? It ought to be the committee of the whole board. Dr. Maguire has made one statement and Mr. Potter has made another. Mr. Potter: I am only repeating the statement. I am prepared to use doctors' names if we go into committee. The Chairman: We will deal with it in committee at the end of the meeting , . After the matter had heen dealt with in committee it -was resolved to write to the parents offering the sincere sympathy of the board, and intimating that the complaint was still under consideration.