CHANGES AGAINST HOSPITAL

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22072, 21 April 1937, Page 10

CHANGES AGAINST HOSPITAL

“MALPRACTICE AND NEGLECT” BULLER BOARD EXONERATES STAFF {THE PRESS Special Service.] WESTPORT, April 20. Certain allegations against the Duller Hospital made by the father of a child who died in the institution, recently, six weeks after admission, sutler ing from infantile paralysis, were considered in committee by the Hospital Board at its monthly meeting last night, and the following statement was handed to the press for publication:—“At to-day’s meeting of the Duller Hospital Board charges of malpractice and neglect made by Mr William Fleming, whose child recently died in the hospital, were investigated. The finding of the board is as follows:—‘That having thoroughly investigated the matter and having heard the evidence of Mrs —, who was visiting'and attending to the child on behalf of the parents, and of Mrs —, who acted during the other’s absence, also evidence of the Matron and Medical Superintendent, and of Dr, Thomson, Sister Yeoman, Nurse Boult, and Mrs Bird, who frequently saw me child, the board finds that the charges are absolutely unjustifiable, not one having been sustained in the slightest degree. The board not only exonerates the Medical Superintendent and staff from any blame, but is convinced, beyond all doubt, that the case received very special attention % and care.’ ” . ~ . Considerable public interest in this matter had been aroused in Westport and uistrict as a result of newspaper publicity given to Mr Flemings allegations. According to the death certificate the child’s death was not the result of infantile paralysis disease. , ... The certificate read: “The immediate cause of death was uraemia and acidosis, 18 hours; disease, infantile paralysis! 10 weeks.”