UNLICENSED PRIVATE HOSPITAL

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 435, 18 February 1909, Page 4

UNLICENSED PRIVATE HOSPITAL

A WOMAN .FINED. ; tsi mraKipn—raßss association.) ' Chtistchurch, February 17. At the Magistrate's Court to-day Annuv M. Hqm6rsham.: Was charged; with M.rrying on 'a : priyMe. hospital a licenso. Mr. Stringer, K.C., prosecuted, and Mr. Cresswell appeared for. defendant. Mr. Cresswell admitted the offence, bat said that, the penalty should not bo heavy, : because the hospital had been carried on m an open manner. There was a general impression that tho Act allowed such' a hospital to take patients'. provided-, that those - in charge did not take in more than ono patient each month.,. The . defendant was under that impression, aiid that impression • was confirmed'' by-a: letter received from the Department in Juno last. Owing to the health of -.her .liusband she was .obliged...to take:to'nnrsing.'*.Her first house.was burnt down, and- she was a' considerable loser, and for a month she-was incapacitated for work. Sho;did not/anticipate. any..trouble about -her, license, and engaged: a 1 certificated nurse as matron. .She complied with all the required' ments of the Department. :- Defendant -had : never received any notice to close down„ and sho had no idea that proceedings would be taken against her." She had-a largo number of testimonials from .Christchurch doctors, and from people: who had attended tho ljomo. The defendant, was not a certificated qurse, though she was perhaps hotter qualified for these peculiar, cases i than many who hold certificates. She had conducted this home as a. mental: observation home.: People suffering' > from molanoholia or, sorno mental strain had been sent there,, and camo away -perfectly oilred. ~ Mr. Stringer said that tho defendant had no right to carry on this home. Sho had been yory persistent in . trying, to- get - V", license,:and was .told'time after, time-.that it : was impossible for her to carry on the home - uilloss _ sho..- was a .certificated .nurse. His . Worship would; , recollect ..the .position of the . J unfortunate woman who wandered away from the home.; ' The magistrate said ho thought tho breach ' was a serious ono. Tho defendant wjuld not take in mental cases., : He would inflict a lino of '10s. and costs.: >C: - : --•- -. .. '