HOSPITAL TRUSTEES.

Evening Star, Issue 7471, 15 March 1888, Page 2

HOSPITAL TRUSTEES.

The monthly meeting of the Hospital Trustees, held yesterday, was attended by Messrs Houghton (chairman), White, Clark, Miller, Green, Drs Hislop and Maunsell. The House Committee reported having investigated certain charges of negligence and ill-treatment made by a former patient in the hospital against one of the nurses. They found that the patient was received into the hospital on January 12, 1887, and discharged and relieved in December, 1887, while the complaint was made on February 26, 1888. They also passed the following resolution “ That the secretary be instructed to inform the late patient, Mary Ann Donclan, that, owing to the length of time that has elapsed since the cause of ' complaint made against Nurse Kelly arose, the committee, from the evidence placed before them in regard to the complaint, arc unable to arrive at any decided opinion as to whether or not it is well founded.” It was stated that the secretary had sent a copy of the resolution to the complainant. Mr White expressed the opinion that the complaint should have been dismissed as frivolous, as the evidence which had been taken showed that there was nothing whatever in it.

Dr Maunsell thought it was ridiculous to entertain a complaint after such a long time had elapsed since the alleged negligence and ill-treatment had occurred. Mr Clark said he was inclined to sympathise with Mr White’s views, but it was rather an awkward thing to arrive at a different conclusion from the committee, who had taken evidence and investigated the matter most fully. Dr Maunsell remarked that he had known the nurse for a very long time, and had never heard a complaint against her, Sho was one of the best and kindest nurses in the hospital. Mr White : I wish it recorded that 1 dissent from the committee’s resolution. It is a reflection upon the nurse, which I think should not be allowed.

Mr Green was very sorry to hear that a reply had been sent to the complainant, and thought that the resolution should have been referred back to the committee. Dr Maunrell said he should have liked to refer the resolution back to the committee, but if a reply had been sent there was no use doing so, as the matter was settled. After some further discussion the report was adopted, Messrs White and Green dissenting.