DEATH OF A CHILD

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 57, 30 November 1934, Page 12

DEATH OF A CHILD

Auckland Hospital Inquiry COMMITTEE’S FINDING Medical Administration May Be Investigated By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, November 29. The finding o£ the committee of inquiry which made an investigation into complaints by Mr. G. A. Downie, of Remuera, that his sou Kenneth, aged 8J years, who died in Auckland Hospital, was not seen by an honorary consulting specialist and did not receive proper treatment, was announced nt a special meeting of the Auckland Hospital Board to-day. The committee’s conclusions were as follow: — •■(1) The resident medical officer did not inform his honorary that there was a patient in his ward in a serious condition. On the admission of this patient the resident proceeded to treat him without informing ins honorary; the treatment given by him was subsequently confirmed by the honorary. While acknowledging a breach of the by-law, your committee is satisfied from the medical evidence that the preliminary and subsequent treatment was skilfully and successfully carried out. "(2) Your committee finds that any suggestion of neglect on the part of the nursing staff was not substantiated. "(3) The evjdence fails to disclose any delay in the admission of the patient. •'(4) Mr. Downie said the boy was seen by Dr. M. G. Pezaro on the afternoon of October 15, and was ordered-to be sent to hospital straight away for an immediate blood transfusion. This is sh'own by Dr. I’ezaro's evidence to have been a misconception on the part of Mr. and Mrs. Downie.” “Large Extent Exaggerated.” The Rev. W. C. Wood, chairman of tiie committee, said the very full reports of the inquiry that had been given in the daily Press had relieved his task very considerably. In general terms the case could be described as an instance of charges being made which were to a large extent exaggerated. “We admit a breach of the by-law,” he said, “and to that extent Mr. Downie was justified in his complaint. The resident was unable to explain why he had omitted to inform his honorary. Evidently the reason was due to the keen interest which the young man had in the case. On the evidence he seems to have handled the ease with special skill, and it seemed to members of the committee Hint he had become so engrossed in (he case that the by-law had escaped him for the time being. The child suffered no ill effects in consequence of the resident’s omission toinform the honorary; the treatment received by the child had been all that was possible. There was no evidence that there had been any neglect on the part of the nursing staff. Mr. G. T. Parvin said he hoped something would 4>e evolved as the result of the inquiry that wpuld be of benefit to the board and to the public. Mrs. Dreaver-said that while she took no notice of some of the “wild” assertions that had been made, the board could not get away -from the fact that there was something wrong. Did Everything Possible. The chairman of the board, JMr. W. Wallace, said he had admired the frank way in which the resident had given his evidence, Jand was convinced he had done everything humanly possible for the child. Mr. Wallace said he hoped as a result of the inquiry and -another that was pending that the whole of the medical side of the hospital -would be thoroughly investigated. “In view of this and the other ease,” said -the chairman, “I have written to Dr. Craven to give me a report on the medical administration of the hospital.” ‘ Dr. Gunson suggested that the question of the reprimanding of tile resident or .-not could be dealt with by the board later if i| so desired. There was no need for a public reprimand, which would affect the resident's -professional repu ta t i on. It was decided to adopt the suggestion of thelchairman in connection with the administration, which will be discussed at a special meeting.