HOSPITAL INQUIRY AT WAIMATE.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7355, 6 July 1889, Page 6

HOSPITAL INQUIRY AT WAIMATE.

An inquiry into a charge made by Dr. Stacpoole against Mr Chapman, master of J the Waimate Hospital, was held at Waii mate on the 3rd instant. The Council room, in which the inquiry was held, was crowded. Mr M. C. Studholme was in the chair, and Messrs Murphy. Oliver, Beckett, Slee, Sinclair, At well and Rhodes were present. The following is a summary of the evidence taken :— Mr D. Jackson stated he was Secretary to the Trust, and had been so for three years. He also gave evidence as to cost of maintenance of the institution, cost of rations, &c. Dr. Stacpoole stated he was doctor to the Hospital. He had asked for an inquiry. Since April last there had been an increase of work and tedious nursing. Through press of work Mr Chapman became demoralised. Witness mentioned one or two incidents, with a view of showing disobedience on the part of Mr and Mrs Chapman. Witness went on to say that he had laid a charge againt the Master in connection with Wild s case. The following was the charge:—" I charge the Master, who had the care of a-man named Wild, suffering from cyphoid fever, that he neglected him. Wild was attacked with hemorrhage from the bowels. Mr Chapman was called at 4 a.m. and did not get up until after 6 a.m. The man either got outof bed or got outand fell. He died very shortly after. I was not sent for until after death. Signed, Geo. C. Stacpoole." Witness continuedFrank Harding, the warder, called him at 8 o'clock and said Wild was dead. He said he died about 7 o'clock. . He said he discovered Wild bleeding at 4 a.m., and reported it to Mr Chapman, but Mr Chap man did not come to see the patient until 6 a.m. Mr Chapman did not deny the facts. Witness told him he was in an awful position. Witness told Mr Chapman before the inquest it was a very awkward business for nim. William George Chapman stated—l am master of the Hospital. I remember Wild being in the Hospital. Harding came to mc at 4 a.m., and reported that, Wild was bleeding. 1 saw him at 6 a.m., he was very bad. I went for medicine, and when I got back he was dead. I was not told by Harding that Wild was dangerously iIL I don't think the doctor considered him a very bad case. The doctor did not say he would screen mc at the inquest. He did not send mc to Christchurch because I was off my head; he thought I would break down, through too much work, he forced mc to go. Harding is a careful and truthful man, and attends to his duties. James Patterson, a patient at the Hospital ; William Wild and his wife, father and mother of the lad Wild, and Lizzie Cordner also gave evidence. Francis Harding deposed—l am warder at the Hospital. About 4 a.m. I noticed Wild was passing blood, and informed Mr Chapman. He did not come to the ward until 6 a.m. I was away from Wild for about a quarter of an hour, and when I came back he was partly on the floor and bleeding. Mr Chapman came about five minutes after.

Ac this stage of the proceedings tbe following resolution was passed—"That, having heard the evidence of both the Doctor and Master, and a number of

others, on the Hospital investigation question, this Committee axe of opinion that further inquiries are unnecessary, and that the Committee now consider the recommendation to be made to the Trustees. , * An amendment as follows—" That the inquiry still go on, and that the whole of the Committee meet on Wednesday next, at 10 o'clock, to make out a report to the Board of Trustees," was negatived. An adjournment was then »§reed to, and upon resuming at 8 p.m. the following resolution was carried—" That, after due investigation in regard to the working of the Waimate Hospital, thisjCommittee are of opinion that the Master and Matron are wholly free from blame in regard to the charge made against them, and therefore recommend the trustees to continue their services." Another motion —''That as it is understood from the Chairman that Dr. Stacpoole intends to send In his resignation to next meeting of the Trust no action be taken with regard to him, but that although the grave charge made by the doctor against Mr Chapman re Wild is not proved ; nevertheless the Committee consider that the Master has shown great insubordination to his superior officer and is unfit for the position of Master," was lost. A vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the meeting to a close.