TRANFUSION OF BLOOD

Press, Volume C, Issue 29469, 22 March 1961, Page 22

TRANFUSION OF BLOOD

Parents Block Operation (ttX. Prnt AmocUMok) MKX3JOH), March 20. A youth of 1», willing to undergo an operation involving a blood transfusion has been sent home from the Green Lane Hospital because his parents have a religious objection to the giving of blood. The . Auckland Hospital Board was told tonight that the patient, a Jehovah’s Witness, was first examined in 1957. When his parents were informed that it was advisable for him to have an operation soon, they refused permission. The patient was recently re-examinated at his own request, and the previous findings and recommendations for the operation were affirmed. The patient wish- ( ed the operation to be performed, but thought his parents would object. The question was referred to the board's legal advisers. Their reply was that the facts of the case again illustrated the ‘‘urgent necessity for legislation.” The law was that a father had control over his children until they were over 21 or married under that age. The chairman (Mr T. H. C. Caughey) said that sending the patient home had not endangered his life. Medical opinion was that it was quite all right for him to wait until he was 21 and have the operation done then.