Inquiry Said To Be Upsetting Hospital

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30215, 21 August 1963, Page 16

Inquiry Said To Be Upsetting Hospital

(New Zealand Press Association)

DUNEDIN, August 20. Some of the patients who had given evidence were blowing themselves up with importance and were flouting authority, the Medical Superintendent of Cherry Farm Hospital (Dr. C. S. Moore) said today.

Dr. Moore gave evidence and was questioned on it during the whole of the eleventh day of the inquiry. He said the inquiry had interrupted the work of the hospital in the last six weeks Dr. Moore said later some of the patients who had given evidence were blowing themselves up with importance and were flouting authority.

Dr. Moore told Mr J. B Deaker, who appears for the Mental Hospital Division, the hospital and the State Services Commission, he had himself sat on the bed of a patient and had had patients throw their arms around him and kiss him. He believed that if any person had set himself the task of gathering evidence of such matters, evidence of these things could be levelled against any charge nurse at the hospital as they had been levelled against “X ” Questioned about a long term of seclusion given to a patient. Dr. Moore agreed he had been concerned about this but it had been necessary for a variety of reasons Dealing with nurse-patient relationships and gifts by “X” to patients, Dr. Moore said the gifts suggested “N” was a little too attached to "X.” However careful a nurse was he might get into a situation where a patient got too involved with him Of remarks made by him on staff assessments about which there have been complaints he said people could only learn by their mistakes and ft was his duty to point them out Dr. Moore said remarks about “taking him to court if he did not get promotion” had had an adverse effect on the personal marking of nurse “C,” who also complained of victimisation. Dr. Moore said he had been aware of the very readily critical attitude of nurses “B” and “C” toward a staff doctor. “Have you ever had any doubts as to whether ‘X’ has homosexual tendencies?” Mr Deaker asked Dr. Moore: I have never had any doubts that he does not Dr. Moore was cross-exam-ined by Mr R J. Gilbert, for

a number- of staff, former staff, and patients, who asked: “Why this biased attitude toward certain staff? You seem to have only uncomplimentary things to say about them?" Dr. Moore: I have to refute all allegations that have been made against me. Mr Gilbert put it to Dr. Moore that his personal attitude was that he was not prepared to accept any evidence against “X.” “You were determined to vindicate him.” Dr. Moore: I was interested to find whether there was any evidence. I have never heard of any firm evidence. I would believe any good charge nurse until he was proved guilty Replying to Mr G S Orr appointed by the Minister of Health to assist the inquiry Dr Moore agreed “X” had made himself open to criticism by making so many gifts to various patients.

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