NAPIER HOSPITAL INQUIRY

Evening Star, Issue 22684, 25 June 1937, Page 5

NAPIER HOSPITAL INQUIRY

STAFFINfi AND ADMINISTRATION ISSUES EVIKME QF MEDICAL SUPEWNTENDENT [Psa United Press Association.! NAPIER, June 24. ' Investigation into questions relating ' to the nursing staff at the Napier Public Hospital was completed to-day_by the Royal Commission of Inquiry, me questions considered related to the measures taken to detect symptoms of illheslth among the nurses, the regulation of their hours of duty, protection -of the health of the nurses, and control of the training of nurses at the nos- ® At’ the conclusion’ of the evidence on these subjects the members rif the com : mission—Mr E, D. Mosley, S.M. (chairman), Sir James Elliott, and Miss Cecelia M'Kenny—had disposed of the ’ fifth and seventh items on the order ot leaving only two items tor consideration. MATRON’S EVIDENCE. • The matron (Miss Croft), wmtinuing her evidence, said she considered the training of nurses- sufficient. She had given all the .nurses opportunities to report sick. There had been delays I* securing.things from the board, chiefly extra staffing. , Sir James Elliott; In view of your evidence of the insufficient staffing accommodation, have you protested to the board?—l have put it m my report that the present accommodation doe? not allow for staffing the new isolation block when it is completed. I have also said that to carry the extras needed for Hastings it would be, necessary to use 10 single rooms as double rooms. You have reached ah impasse m this matter? —Yes. , • ~ Do you think this evidence should hav© been out before this? You were aware of it before ?—Yes. _ Has it not come up rather late?—A year ago I mentioned it at the Hastings Hospital. , j-j When you became aware of this did you take any steps in regard, to the nurse?—The board was handling the matter; it was out of my hands. Mr Foden: Who took the first step to dispose of the nurse’s services ?—The nurse resigned voluntarily. , ; Mr Foden (smiling): Oh, that’s different. ■' Mr M. R. Grant: Did you in November learn that a nurse bad been treat- ■ ing Dr Whyte’s patients Knowingly without Dr Whyte’s knowledge?—l learned it after the board inquiry. When did you first learn that the nurse knew all along that Dr Whyte did not know about it?—ln January of this year. . ~ Sir James Elliott: Was it not_ the nurse’s duty in the absence of the sister to enter the nature of the treatment in the ward book? —-Yes, it was. And she did not do that?—No. TUTOR SISTER’S EVIDENCE. The sub-matron of the hospital (Sister Christina Sophia Thomasen) said she was also tutor sister at the hospital. She had occupied the position of submatron for about a year, but her services as tutor sister had been available for only the past six months. Despite past.” breaks ” in the system of tuition improvements were gradually being brought about. The matron and the medical superintendent took a great deal of interest, in the course of training, while generally speaking the nurses were very interested. < Sister Thomasen went on to speak of the proposed extension of the training system to the Hastings Hospital. .Witness said she could foresee difficulties in the way of organisation, but eventually the scheme should work satisfactorily. Questioned by Mr Grant, witness said (that under the proposed system Of training nurses commencing - their second year would be taken to Hastings. About halfway through their second year they would return to Napier for lectures and an examination in cooking. In answer to Miss M‘Kenny, witness said that she gave three days and a-half each week to the instruction of nurses. She considered that the interests of those in training would be better served if the tutor sister could devote the whole of her time to the work. Miss M'Kenny: And so do I. THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM. The first witness called by Mr N. A. Foden, Crown Solicitor, was Dr J. J. Foley, medical superintendent at the hospital, who said that duping his tenure of office he had encountered no active obstruction to any matters which he desired to bring before the board. . Mr Foden: Your hesitation and careful use of words indicates' something? —Well, he has the screw on everything. You mean that he economises very <• severely?—Yes. . . And db you think that that is detrimental to the interests of the institution?—lt might be sometimes. i Your answer almost suggests a suspicion in my mind, that the managing secretary does not always consider the welfare of the patients in carrying out his duties? —He has not obstructed me while. I have been medical superintendent. . V Did you find any delay in getting your (requisitions for equipment fulfilled? —No. Once the board approves of it, it is obtained. Have you gat authority on your own initiative, to order a packet of safety pins and charge it up to the board?— No. It would have to b© countersigned. Do you think you have sufficient . authority in ordering medical supplies and equipment?—Yes. I have not had any obstructions. Have you had any requisitions re- . fused I ?—Not that I can remember. What would you do if the managing secretary refused a request?—l would . speak to him about it, and if there was still, a dispute I would discuss it with the chairman. Does the managing secretary regard you as his superior?—No. He probably , thinks there are two departments. I dare say he thought I was head of the hospital when the Royal Commission was coming. (Laughter.) What machinery exists by which you . are able to ascertain the treatment ordered for patients by the honorary staff?—There are the reports and .daily rounds. At this stage the chairman made an order excluding the public f " ■ commission chamber and forbidding the publication of evidence which, might be damaging to any member of the medical profession. When certain . questions had been asked the public was readmitted.

The honoraries, Dr Foley added, had conferences on difficult cases every Saturday. They entered into the consultations in the true spirit of conference and in the interests of the public. *

ADMISSION PROCEDURE. Mr Foden: What resident medical staff have you?—Three. We could do with four. . , What is the procedure during an admission P—Urgent cases day or night and others at specified times. Is the bell system up to date —No, but it is under review now. Do you get the utmost support from the matron? —Yes. Does she pass her reports to you before they go to the board?—No. Does she report all matters regarding the nurses to you?—Yes. Do you see any of the matron s reports?—Anything of a special nature. What would happen if an outside doctor sent in an urgent case ?—Usually the doctor rings up the hospital and warns ns. . .. ■, I take it you will revise the admission ■- procedure ?—I do not think we get proper assistance from the man concerned in the case Do you inspect the,food? —Yes, usually during mealtime. I will say now that, the food is good. . The sisters sometimes stay in the wards for years. Is that in the best interests of the hospital ?—None of them have been there long. I think it" is a, good thing to change them round. • . . , ' . . .. Do you interview the nurses in the presence of the matron? —Always, except on one occasion where I wished the matron to be absent. How many hours a day is the theatre sister on duty ?—Twenty-four hours, but it is not really as bad as it seems. She is liable to be called out in an emergency. . ; Does the ward sister go to the theatre with the patient?—Yes. She calls again later for the patient, and is then pven the special instructions necessary. ■ . ■ . , ~ Mr Grant: I take it you and Mr Rees ‘are the greatest of friends and work in harmony?—Yes. : He holds the purse-strings ?—Yes. 1 don’t want to hold them. The only thing is that if there is any spending of money Mr Rees is on yoiir tracks at once?—Yes. You think the honorary staff should be strengthened?—Yes. CHANGES IN STAFF. Mr A. E, Lawry (for Dr J. Allan Berry): I understand that there have been constant changes in the nursing staff?—Yes. Some find the examinations difficult and will not stay, and they leave for many reasons. ■ Part of the duty of this commission is to. he informed as to why such things occur. Do you think there is anything in connection with wages ? The board decided at a recent meeting to raise the wages. On the suggestion of Mr Foden, it was decided that the schedule of wages should he furnished to the commission. Mr Grant: Do you know if tho board makes a practice revising the salaries annually?—Yes, and liberally. And are you called into consultation?—Yes. I should say that the Hospital Board is very good to its employees.'

Mr 1 Lawry (to witness): It seems clear that there is going to he some amelioration in the matter of hours ? Yea. I understand that the nurses hav© not had reasonable accommodation in the past and have been crowded?— Yes.

-There are ■ additions going on. Do you think that wilt remove one cause for discontent P—Yea.

It is not only the nurses in training who have been doing long hours; it is the whole of the nursing staff?—;Yes.

THE SECRETARY-MANAGER.

, Sir James Elliott: What is the difference between a secretary and a secre-tary-manager ?—An ordinary secretary would, keep books and watch the financial side. I cannot explain the secret tary-manager. Sir James: He is a man who has the powers of a secretary and also wider powers.. By giving the secretary the extra name-of “ manager,” a situation is created which might bring his duties to equality with or superiority over those of the medical superintendent?— Yes. That is so, sir. Witness said he could apply to the' board for requirements, but everything had to go,, through the managing-sec-retary. He did not think a firstelass man would apply for the position if witness resigned. Sir James: Have past superintendents left after a short time? —Dr A. Berry stayed seven years, Dr Biggs three and a-half, and myself three. ■ They got out of the ark?—Perhaps; I should not say that, but they have all gone.. , Mr Foden: I think Sir James has just about hit the nail on the head. Dr A. C. B. Biggs, who was medical superintendent- up to the time of the earthquake, said his lot had been a happy one, but after that it was not. Mr Foden: Was the managing-secre-tary below you?—The name was a misnomer. I was the chief executive officer. What happened after the earthquake ? —There was a fight between Napier and Hastings as to where the hospital should he, I held independent views, and ray unpopularity commenced for expressing certain views with the idea of saving money. I was attacked in open board meeting. I complained to the department, the director endorsing my attitude. Mr Foden: Your-wages were reduced from £l,lOO to £7OO during the slump —Yes. Were the wages of the managingsecretary reduced?—l am certain they were not. I was left with the name only, and without authority. Once I ordered a proprietary medicine three times, but it was refused each time. That was humiliating. . Mr Foden: Would a good man take the job now?—lf he did he would not stay long. ' Can you make any proposals?—The office staff is top large. What was the secretary’s position in your time?—He would get up and say anything after a discussion. He would say that a preparation was not needed or that something else would do. Continuing, Dr Biggs said that the board made a mess of things after the earthquake. It even scrapped the department’s plans for building, result-ing-to-day in there being trouble over isolation. Mr Mosley: What steps would you take to notify parents of the treatment of patients? —If the treatment was special they would be advised. Sir James Klliott: Would the honorary medical officer on the board be able to do what others could not do ?—1 would not say that. He would have a sheltered position ? Yes, I suppose so. The commission adjourned till to-mor-row.