NURSE’S DEATH

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 124, 19 February 1929, Page 12

NURSE’S DEATH

INQUIRY AT PORIRUA ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE ALLEGATIONS OF NEGLECT DENIED Additional evidence in refer- ' ence to the death of Edith Mary Paynter, a nurse, who died at the Porirua Mental Hospital on February 10, was heard before the Coroner (Mr. J, S. Barton, S.M.), at Porirua yesterday. Senior-Sergeant Butler represented the Police Department, Mr. A. Buxton the relatives of deceased, Mr. C. A. L. Ireadwcll appeared for Dr. Hayes, superintendent of the Mental Hospital, and Mr. A. B, Sievwright for members ot the hospital staff. Prior to calling evidence, Mr. bievwright submitted that the authorities had shown lamentable ignorance, and contended that the treatment given to deceased was in the nature of neglect. He considered that Miss Paynter should have been placed in a hospital ward, and add* ed that it seemed strange that such ft ward did not exist at porirua. The de(jeaaed uurs© hud been confineq to her room, and had not received proper attention. Evidence given by the cook showed that deceased had not been properly fed. Mr. Buxton stated he understood that deceased’s relatives were quite satisfied death was due to natural causes, unless, of course, further evidence contradictory of what had been given, were called. Mr- Treadwell agreed with Mr. Buxton, and said that the matters referred to by Mr, Sievwright had nothing to do with the death of Miss Paynter. If the inquiry were gone on with, it was his intention to call two matrons, and several nurses, who would show that deceased received daily attention and had made no complaints, “The only complaints that have been made,” added Mr. Treadwell, "have been made from certain people who have a grudge. The charges are scandalous, and without the slightest tissue of foundation.” The Coroner intimated that the evidence, satisfied him as to the cause of death, and he would be quite justified in closing the inquiry. However, he had decided to call further evidence because he considered such a course wise. “When suggestions of neglect or failure of duty on the part of .those in charge of a public institution are made,” continued Mr. Barton, "it is a mistake not to make further inquiries. If there is evidence of neglect, then I wish to hear it. So far the Only evidence of neglect is in regard to feeding. In reference to the locking of Miss Paynter’s door, it has beep shown that this was necessary owing to the frequent visits of other nurses with the result that deceased did not remain quiet as had been prescribed. y ’’Worked for Peace and Quietness.” Violet Dalby, a former attendant at the institution, said that she knew both deceased and her sister. Sfie did not remember deceased being ill prior to the attack by the Borstal girl, While deceased was in her own room she appeared to fee in pain, and frequently ggid that if nothing were done for her head she would go mad. She was left alone a good deal, She had nothing to eat, but drank lemon water. Witness thought that she preferred lemon drink, and did not wish to eat. During the period in her own room deceased was once required to go out on a grass court to get the sun, but witness did not think she was fit to do so. She had to be assisted in dressing. Deceased told witness that she had been asked to go to Ra-Uta for electrical treatment, but only got as far as the messroom when she collapsed. Finally she was taken by car. At Ra-Uta, deceased told witness, she could not lie in bed peacefully because the matron, and a doctor wanted her to go on duty. Witness sometimes took fruit to deceased, and once bought some eggs, and made her a eustard. Witness could not say whether deceased ate it all. Deceased went back on duty about February 1, and when she went qn duty on February 6, she told witness she was going on for the sake of peace and Quietness, and added “God only knows how I got out of bed.” Deceased had also said she was unable to see properly. As far as witness knew, deceased was on proper duty and not free. to leave off when she desired, Witness stated that she had heard that when nt Ra-Uta, deceased was being treated for hysteria. To Mr. Sievwright witness said that she went to Mr, Treadwell’s office last Saturday morning to make a statement on the suggestion of Matron Brand. She was asked to go and see a lawyer, but who it was, she did not know at the time. Witness said she had resigned because sfie did not feel like going on duty after her friend’s death. Nurses Give Evidence. Donells Munro Mackay considered that Nurse Paynter did not receive fair treatment for a sick girl, Deceased had told her that she could not eat the food given to her. Witness considered that deceased was not fit for duty. Deceased had told her that the matron had told her to "buck up and get on duty.” Anyone, said witness, coulfl see that she was not fit to go op duty. Witness did pot think that deceased needed absolute quiet because she was so depressed. Witness did not agree with the evidence of deceased's sister, Witrigss could not understand the Bister’s statement that deceased wanted to go back to work. Mary Agnes McGlynn, a nurse at the Mental Hospital, stated that she saw deceased for four or five days prior to her death. Deceased had told her that the matron had aaid: "Niw Paynter, you must buck up and come op duty.” Otherwise, deceased made no complaints to Witness. Regarding the sister’s evidence, witness said “she must have Changed her mind.” Another nurse, Henrietta Rushbateh, said that she saw deceased the day before, and on the day of her death. Witness alleged that Matron Brand had told her that the doctors had said that there was nothing wrong with Nurse Paynter, to which witness replied that “she could not believe it.” Witness also stated that deceased had said to her on ope occasion, “They think there's nothing wrong with me. They thing I’m "mad.” Witness considered that deceased was not fit for work Winifred Bessie Dickson, a nurse, said that she was in the ward at the time of the episode .with the Borstal girl, Miss Paynter looked as if she had had a fit. On one occasion, at Ra-Uta, deceased told witness (through the window) that she was locked in just like a patient, and had said: "Do I look as if I am mad?” She also complained of seeing double, Agnes Hutehoon said that at Ra-Uta deceased had said to her, "J think I'll die here; I’m going mad!” Evidence was given by Bridget Ellen McShane, a nurse, and a friend of deceased's sister. She said that deceased seemed . dissatisfied. She had complained of having been on ditty a whole week without having a day off. Thia was about February 7. Mr. Treadwell asked witness why deceased should have said that when she had only been on duty for two days, witness replying that she could not give an explanation. Witness said that the nurses did their best to make things as light as possible for deceased. Agnes Latter Hastie, a nurse, said that about a week prior to deceased's going back to work she had said, "What do you think, Hastie, Dr. Hayes has told me to buck up and go on duty to-morrow morning, but I don’t feel the least bit fit for it.” She also said that she was sure that Dr. Hayes thought she was “putting it on.” Elizabeth Beggs, a nurse, stated that deceased did not have quiet, peaceful nights at Ra-Uta. She was always moaning and groaning, and was not fit for duty. Witness was in deceased’s room the night before she went on duty, when deceased said, “Nurse, they’ve asked me I to go on duty. I don’t feel like it,”

She made no complaint about her treatment. Allegations Denied. Evidence in rebuttal of the allegations of neglect was culled by Mr. TveadweliMargaret Cecelia Noonan, one of the matrons, said that after the Borstal girl episode, she took Nurse Paynter to her room. She heard Matron Brand speak to deceased next day and usk her to go out into the sunshine, as the doctor thought it would be best for her. She was asked if she felt like it. Deceased said she felt better, but still had a headache. Matron Braud asked her if she could walk, and she said "I think so.” She then walked the length of the room and buck agajn. Witness saw hei' practically every morning at Ra-Uta and practically every afternoon after she got up. In reply to Mr. Treadwell, witness said that when first at Ra-Uta Nurse Findlay had said deceased was on fluid diet, Witness stated that deceased was usually asleep when she saw her, but occasionally she asked her how she was, deceased replying that she was getting on all right. Deceased never made a complaint to witness regarding her treatment. Witness did not believe that deceased reccivetl "no food or next to no ■food” for three weeks. She did not have a starved appearance. To Mr. Treadwell witness also said that Ur. Anderson was attending deceased, and occasionally Dr. Hayes,, and latterly Ur. Macky. Witness iweived no word from anyone to the effect that deceased was not fit to go on duty. She wr,s doing, light work on the day of her death. Witness denied that deceased was compelled to go back to work. Regarding the locking of the door, witness said that deceased was removed to Ra-Uta tor, quietness, which she did not appear _ to be getting owing to the number of visitors. It was then that the notice to keep out was put up. Since that did not keep visitors out the door was locked till the doctor came round, llus was done for two days off and on. Deceased, in the opinion of witness, was suffering from hysteria, . . To Mr. Sievwright witness considered that deceased was fit for duty and did not agree with those who thought otherwise. -She said that she did not think the diagnosis of hysteria was wrong. Witness also stated that during the week before deceased went on duty she heard her whistling and singing. She did not know that deceased had eaten practically none of the food that went to her from the kitchen at Ra-Uta. Helen Mc.D. Findlay, charge nursm at Ra-Uta, said that for the first few days of her stay at Ra-Uta, Nurse Paynter was on a fluid diet, but later went on to an egg diet. Witness, who had charge of the stores, issued eggs for deceased, lhe door of Miss Paynter’s room was locked in order to prevent too many visitors seeing her. Deceased made no complaints about her treatment or her food, and any time witness asked her if she wanted anything she replied that she had nil she wanted. Deceased never made any suggestion about being forced back to work. It was not true that she (witness) had ever refused deceased an egg. . To Mr. Sievwright, witness said that the looking of the deceased’s door had nothing to do with any disciplinary measure. Witness did not know that deceased had complained to her friends about being locked in her room. To Senior-Sergeant Butler, witness said that she could not account for Nurse Atkins saying that during the three weeks she never saw an egg left out for deceased. Witness left the eggs for her. Siabhra G, Lynch, a masseuse, said that she massaged Nurse Paynter after the incident in the Borstal ward. At RaUta she massaged'her practically every day. She understood deceased was diagnosed as suffering from hysteria. Deceased matte no complaints to her. Had deceased had no food for three weeks the fact would have been apparent to witness. At one period deceased told her that she was not very much inclined for food, but later said that sho was having meals normally. Chief Matron’s Evidence.

Isabella Duncan Brand, chief matron at Porirua, said that she saw deceased the morning after the Borstal ward incident. Deceased was in bed, lying quietly, She complained of a pain in her head. It appeared to witness that deceased was suffering from hysteria. It was said that deceased’s case was a more serious type of hysteria, and that it was necessary to move fier to a quieter room. . To Mr- Treadwell, witness said that while deceased was in bed at Ra-Uta she saw her almost daily. Never did deceased say that she was not getting everything she required. Witness asked her every visit if she wanted anything. Deceased’s sister was the only visitor allowed to see her, apart from the charge nurses and her deputy. "I never asked Nurse Paynter to go pn duty,” said witness to Mr, Treadwell who then said that it has been alleged that deceased had been starved. Witness replied that she always saw food on her locker. Witness considered that deceased’s body was well nourished, The Coroner interposed to say that he had seen deceased's body after death and had remarked that it was a stout and well-nourished body, In reply to Ml’, Sievwright, witness gald that she had seen quite a number of •cases of hysteria.. Those suffering from it were ordered rest and quiet, and Inter encouraged to take an interest in their surroundings and given light duties until well agajn. Witness had seen Dr, Lynch’s evidence and did not appreciate that a blunder had been made. Witness admitted that all deceased’s treatment, up till hey death, was based on the assumption that she was suffering from hysteria. , To Mr. Sievwright, witness said it was her aim to get a special sick ward for nurses. It was hoped to open such a ward in about sig weeks. Sister Muriel Grace Widdowson said that for four days deceased was under hey, Things were made as light as possible. She did. no heavy work. To witness’s knowledge, deceased did not scrub a floor. It was not usual for a nurse to scrub a floor, Witness (in reply to My. Sievwyight) said that in hey opinion, deceased did not look well. That was why she was given a patient to do all the heavy work for her. Medical Evidence. Dr, Theodore G, Gray, Director-Gen-eral of Mental Hospitals, stated that in his opinion deceased, from February 4 up till her death, was suffering from hysteria. To Mr. Sievwright he said he based that diagnosis on the whole history of the case, and added that it would be going too far to say that the three symptoms—headache, double vision, i and vomiting, were almost certain signs of cerebral pressure. Witness had no doubt that the locking of deceased’s dopy was perfectly sound treatment carried out in the best interests of the patient. Seclusion was a form of treatment frequently employed in hysteria, and the locking of tfie doors was rendered necessary solely by the. injudicious conduct of the nurse’s own Dr, Henry D. Hayes said that so far as the medical aspect was concerned, and also the conclusions and reasons given by Dr. Gray, he was in agreement. He examined deceased for double vision, but failed to find traces of it. He had not taken the possibility of aneurism into account, but had considered the possibility of cerebral trouble, Proceedings were adjourned until 3,15 p.m. to-day,