DEATH OF A NURSE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 31 July 1928, Page 5

DEATH OF A NURSE

HOSPITAL BOARD’S INQUIRY

THE MEDICAL EVIDENCE.

.By Telegraph—Press Association.)

.CHRISTCHURCH, July 30.

An inquiry into the circumstances of the death of Nurse Helen .Tones at the Christchurch Hospital on July 19 was held by the North 'Canterbury Hospital Board to-day. Allegations of callous neglect on the part of the matron had been made, and the chairman, -Mr IT. J. Otley, said he hoped the inquiry would be as full as possible in order tiiat the whole matter might, be cleared up once and for all.

Evidence was given by the nurse’s mother, the matron and the medical superintendonr, and n letter from the staff declaring the -charges grossly untrue was read. The inquiry was then adjourned. Mrs Jones gave evidence that the family felt that the girl had been badly treated in that she -had to spend the last two weeks on her feet, when she was not well. Witness had heard the matron sav that if Nurse ..Tones were her daughter she -would give her a good slapping. Attempts had been made to injure the matron’s-refutation, said Mr \V. J. Hunter, counsel for the matron, Miss Muir She was the kinkiest woman in the world and every consideration was shown, lie declared, to nurses who were sick and Nurse .Jones’s case -had boon no exception. Actually nothing could have been done to save the girl’s life as she died of galloping consumption, probably having had tubercular infection in childhood. Miss Muir, the matron, gave evidence of Nurse .Tones havin.g- come to her complaining of not feeling well. Witness had given her an opportunity to go home for a. -rest, and had advised her to come back to the hospital for further medical examination if she did not improve. Dr. Fox 'had told her there was no clinical evidence of tubercle in Nurse Jones’s chest., but her trouble might become tubercular. When -Nurse Jones reported sick the matron advised her to remain as a patient, but the nurse implored her to be allowed to go home. “in the -course of trying to make the child feel a little better,” said -the matron, “I said she was a naughty girl and needed spanking. It is a remark I have often used and I am exceedingly sad to hear that it has hurt her.” On July 4 Mrs Jones telephoned witness saying she was worried about her daughter, who was looking very ill. Witness replied that Airs Jones must: bring -the girl in for treatment. The girl was brought in' that evening. “I was shocked at her appearance,” said witness. ‘‘She was an ill girl. I reported immediately to Dr. Davidson, who examined her that evening. Next day 1 rang Airs .Tones and asked her to call to see Dr. Davidson because -her daughter's -condition was very serious. Each day she became worse and she died on July 19.”

Dr. \V. Fox, the medical superintendent, said that when ho first examined Nurse Jones on June 4 there was no evidence of pulmonary infection though the examination made was thorough. This was a peculiarity of the form of tuberculosis from which the girl died. Nothing could have saved her life. Referring to the hospital administration witness said it was in-e-oneeicable that nurses were r'qnired to work while ill. There was a staff large enough to allow ntir.-.es reporting sick to go off dutv. A protest from the 'hospital nursing staff concerning the allegations made against -the matron was read. The statement declared the charges weie grossly untrue and the -nurses wished to express the strongest indignation.