CLOSED WARD

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21933, 30 January 1946, Page 4

CLOSED WARD

VISITORS_REFUSED BOARD DEBATES POLICY ACTION DEFERRED The paclice of refusing visitors to the children’s ward of tV Cook Hospital was the subject of comment by members of the Cook Board yesterday when, although* all the board members who spoke were in favour of an “open” policy, no decision was reached because the medical superintendent, Dr. R. J. B. Hall, was not present to stale his views on tlie matter. The discussion was the outcome of a letter to the board from Mr. G. Allen, •To referred to the case (aleady published in the Herald - ), which had prompted this request that visitors should be allowed to the chidren’s ward. Mr. Allan, in his letter, suggested that at least an hour a week should be set aside for the parents or guardians to visit the children’s ward. The managing secretary, Mr. C. A. Harries, read 'an extract from the minutes of a meeting in 1941 in which it was recommended by the board that the limitations on visiting hours should be relaxed.

“I don’t think we can do much because Dr. Hall is still away and we can’t reach any decision on this without hearing his views,” the chairman, Mr. M. T. Trafford, commented.

Mr. J. B. Williams expressed himsef as sympathetic with the parents in many ways.

From a medical point of view it might be desirable not to have visitors to the children’s ward, but he had always felt that some compromise could be arranged so that parents could visit their children.

Any parent with a child ill was upder a serious mental strain, Mr, Williams continued, which was_ aggravated if they could not visit the child.

Give Public Their Due

“This is a public hospital and we should give the public the due entitled them.

“I don’t think we can do much until Dr. Hall returns so I suggest this matter be referred to the complaints committee,” Mr. Williams concluded. Mr. Trafford likewise expressed himself as sympathetic with the parents, but agreed that they should consult the medical superintendent before making a decision because he was in charge, not they, and should know what was best.

“We should try to give a little more freedom than has been given in the past,” Mr. Trafford concluded. Public misconception was that the board was responsible for fixing the policy of the closed ward system, Mr. H H. Barker stated, adding that until he read about it in the Herald he was not aware that the ward was continuously closed.

This was definitely not so as thi medical superintendent was allowed his own discretion in deciding whether visitors should be permitted, though the board had given a ruling that visitors should be allowed when possible.

“In effect, the ward was closed in defiance of a decision of * h ? b ° arb - Mr. Barker stated, adding that the policy of the board as laid down in 1941 was that the restrictions De relaxed, but instead they had been tightened up.

“Parents have their rights and it is not for the board to deny them, Mr. Barker continued.

“The board is just guJdiTd by the Medical Superintendent. if the ward should be closed for awhile, Mrs. E. R Scott stated in support of clarifying public misunderstanding. Mr. E. R. Black seconded the motion, and it was agreed that the complaints committee should meet Dr. Hall prior to the special meeting to be held on February 4 so that when the full board met that day a decision could be reached. Medical Statement

Later the acting medical superintendent. Dr. E. E. Brown, was able to attend the meeting and was asked to explain the present position. “So far as this present period is concerned there is quite an epidemic of infectious diseases, in .act, rnqre than I have seen together for a long time,” he said. . “Measles has been the most pepu-JT trouble in this connection, but as well there is scarlet fever, mumps chicken pox. summer sickness, and others. “That is the principal reason why the ward has been closed.” Dr. Brown added. Latterly they had seven nurses down with measles. , Two or three cases of measles had occurred in the childrens ward but, fortunately, they had managed to segregate them successfully and so avoid further spreading. ■ “It is not possible just yet to open the ward,” Dr. Brown continued. _ “It would be difficult to say just when it will be possible to do so tor measles is not a notifiable disease so it is hard to say just when the epiibo°ut er three weeks’ time it might be possible to open the ward, though I think,” Dr. Brown concluded Mr Barker pointed out that the ward had not beenVned to visitors since 1941 and he asked Dr. Brown if in his opinion it was desirable that this» gicy should be continued, a question which Dr. Brown said he would prer not to answer, and which went unanMrfed Scott admitted that occa■o‘aliv a long time ago, she had seen visitors at therighfto say that X S 'ward was permanently Cl Mr d Trafford: It’s so near it, it doesn’t matter.