HOSPITAL INQUIRY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 31 October 1924, Page 7

HOSPITAL INQUIRY.

+ • DOCTOR’S EVIDENCE. (by telegraph—press association. A . PALMERSTON N , Oct. 31. At the hospital enquiry this morning (previous proceedings are reported 011 page 5) —the case for the honorary medical staff was continued Counsel for Dr. Barnett’ and staff, addressing the commission, said his clients t-hiat a public hospital was an institution for the benefit of those members of the community who could not afford to pay for private treatment. It must be perfectly clear to the commission that Miss Bryce was not a suitable case' for a public hospital. Dr. Barnett did an obxbous thing and refused to give an order of admission. The operation w.us not one of urgency, and had the case been acute Dr. Barnett would have operated. In regard to the question of complications Avjiich developed at Feilding after the operation on Miss Bryce, the latter had had two attacks of rheumatic fever long before the illness forming the basis of the present charge. The attack of rheumatic neuritis Avas not due to the treatment in npspital. Giving evidence, Dr. Barnett said that when Bryce asked'him to operate on his daughter in Palmerston Hospital he expressed astonishment and told him that the honorary medical staff gave their services free, and before he .issued an order for admission he would have to satisfy himself of Bryce’s inability to pay. Witness finally told him the order of admission could not be given. Later Miss Bryce Avas admitted and witness examined her and found she was recox r ering from a bad attack of appendicitis, but at the time of the examination it Avas practically ox’ p er. Witness denied the alleged conversation Avith Stevens, cousin of Mrs. Bryce, avlio had said, when she asked Avitness Avhy he had not operated, Dr. Barnett hail said that Stevens must remember that the honorary staff gave their services free and xvalked axvay laughing. What lie had asked Aims where they were taking Miss Bryce to. said Ayitness. (Proceeding.)