LIVELY DISCUSSION

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 131, 27 February 1937, Page 13

LIVELY DISCUSSION

Hawke’s Bay Hospital Board and Doctor

SEQUEL TO PATIENT’S

DEATH

By Telegraph—Press Association.

Napier, February 26.

A fresh development in the controversy which has marked recent meetings of the Hawke’s Bay Hospital Board occurred at a special meeting this evening called for the express purpose of terminating the period of oilice of Dr. J. Allan Berry as a member of the honorary surgical staff of the Napier Hospital. After a lively discussion, a vote was taken on a motion moved by the chairman, Mr. C. Lassen, seeking to relieve Dr. Berry of his office. Seven members voted for and two against the motion.

The chairman, pointing out that he was not satisfied that the requisite fourfifths majority had voted in favour of the motion, declared the motion lost, but mentioned that legal opinion would be obtained before the next board meeting as to whether the number of votes recorded for the motion was sufficient to cause it to be passed.

Mr. Lassen, supporting the resolution, said that some time ago there had been a group of five patients in the Napier hospital, one of whom was under the charge of Dr. Berry. Dr. Berry’s patient died and an inquiry was held by a special committee, before which Dr. Beryr, who is a member of the board, declined to appear to give evidence. ■‘Dr. Berry was asked to attend and give evidence before the committee, but he ignored the request and gave no assistance of any kind,” said Mr. Lassen. ‘‘At that inquiry it was proved that he had ordered hot baths for his patient and that on one occasion under his own personal supervision the patient was immersed in a bath of a temperature of 120 degrees. This treatment went on for a considerable time and his patient had, in fact, a hot bath an hour before death. It was found that death was not the result of the complaint from which the patient was suffering on admission to the hospital. The parents of the patient reported the death to the Health Department. Dr. Berry is fully acquainted with all the material facts and should have given the committee all the information in his possession and assisted it in every possible way. His conduct in the matter is not consistent with the duty which, as an honorary member of the staff, he owed to this board. This matter may go further. Personally I hope it will, and if Dr. Berry desires that there should be a Ministerial inquiry he may rely on me to do everything that I can toward that end, in the hope that there will be then forthcoming the evidence and assistance which he should have given to the committee of this board.” Mr. C. 0. Morse strongly criticised the board's action in requesting Dr. Berry’s resignation.