AUCKLAND ST. HELENS HOSPITAL.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14564, 15 January 1913, Page 7

AUCKLAND ST. HELENS HOSPITAL.

COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.)

AUCKLAND, January 14

Tho commission of enquiry relating to the administration of St. Helens Hospital, Auckland, opened this morning, Mr C. C. Kettle, S.M., sitting as Commissioner. Complaints were preferred by Mrs Emily Nicol (represented by Dr. Bamford) and by the Auckland Timber Workers' Union (represented by Mr A. E. Skelton). Mr Seiwyn Mays represented the Hospitals Department, the matron, and Dr. Tracy luglis.

Tho Auckland Timber Workers' Union complained (l).that in respect to the death of Mrs Laura Elizabeth Chamberlain, on 9th Septcmer, 1912, Mrs Chamberlain sustained injuries, but the matron failed to send for, or obtain the services of, a medical practitioner until the third day after such injuries were sustained; (2) that tho matron further failed in her duty to call in medical advice when she discovered that the patient was suffering from puerperal septicaemia; (3) that the matron, without the assistance of a registered medical practitioner, attended to the injuries; (4) that Dr. Tracy luglis, in his capacity of medical officer to such institution, declined to allow Mrs Chamberlain to be examined, or her condition ascertained, by another registered medical practitioner, when a request for such examination wns made by the husband of Mrs Chamberlain at a time when her life was in great danger; (5) as to administration, that the institution or portion of it is not suited for tho purpose of a maternity home, Cor the reason that a portion of it is constructed in wood, and that tho walls are papered, thereby affording an opportunity for the fostering of disease and septic germs;'(G) that during the confinement of Mrs Chamberlain, the matron failed to provide her with necessary and ordinary comforts, and that ia consequence Mrs Chamberlain sustained unnecessary phm arid suffering. Mrs Emily; Nicols's complaints were: —(l)Tliat in the case of one Mrs Porch, the,patient was placed,in the isolation ward immediately after the removal of the body of a woman (Mrs Chamberlain) who had died from septicsemia, and. was attended by tho same.nurse as had attended the deceased. (2) That in tho case of Mrs Marsh, the relatives of tho patient were wrongly informed that she _.'as suffering from scarlet fever, and. further, were not notified in sufficient time before the patient's death to '■■ enable them to communicate with her. i (3) That tho matron has on several occasions refused to "admit patients, unless at least £1 was paid, and that this practice should be discontinued. That in the case of Mrs Reid, an api plication made for her admission jwas i refused, although her husband is m I poor circumstances, and lives in a congested area (Freeman's Bay), and the . case was a proper one for. admission. . Complainant*also directed attention jto the following points:—(l) Need for j the appointment of a resident medical ! officer. (2) the undesirability of the j medical officer being in outside prac- ! tice as a surgeon, (3) the desirability ot j appointing a visiting inspector to ascerI tain the position and means of persons ' seeking admission to the hospital, (4) tho necessity for admitting patients at an earlier stage than they aro ndmitted !at the present time, (5) the unsuitaj biiity of the present hospital, and tho i desirability of* it as an ndiunct to the general hospital. Evidence was taken in support of the ; charges, and tho enquiry was adjourned till to-morrow.