ENQUIRY: COMMITTEE'S REPORT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LVIII, Issue LVIII, 4 December 1909, Page 4

ENQUIRY: COMMITTEE'S REPORT.

At the meeting of tho Patea Hospital Board on Wednesday the committee appointed to enquire into charges laid against the hospital administration brought down tho following report: — Tho committee report having enquired exhaustively into Mr Strange' s complaint and others emanating therefrom and called evidence where procurable Strange. — The committee find that the matron's manner on admission of the boy ' was somewhat harsh and abrupt, but jthe circumstances were irritating with the crowded state of the hospital (19 patients) and the late hour the boy was brought without an admission order. After admission we find there was nothing to complain of, the case being one for strict treatment. Murray. — The attendance on this man was not as systematic as it might have been, through forgetfulness on the part of one of the nurses. Poki. — Although this man was*a most disagreeable and annoying patient, he should have been treated with more consideration and patience. Withers. — This man was ordered outdoor exercise by the surgeon, and there was no evidence of bad treatment. Maggie West. — The treatment in this case was justified and necessary in the child's interest. Summing up, the committee considers that thero has been a certain lack r .f control, and that there was room for cortain complaints, the nursing staff having been lax in' its duties at times. The committee recommends that the Visiting Committee take pains to enquire from patients as to how they are treated, and impress upon them that all complaints must be lodged in writing within one month of their occurrence. * The committee also recommends that a charge nurse bo at once obtained, and that either she or tho matron »t all times be on duty, and exercise proper supervision. The oommittee believes that with the now accommodation matters will be materially improved. (Signed) W. DERRETT, December 1, 1909. Chairman. Mr Derrett moved that the report bo adopted. Mr Symes seconded tho motion. Mr Christensen said he was not quite in favor of the adoption of the report, as it seemed to cast a slur upon, the Board as a whole. They must givft the matron credit for maintaining good discipline amongst the staff. He hoped that the Board would in future decline to receive complaints unless they were delivered within a month of the alleged happening upon which they were based. Mr Clarke agreed that the report was somewhat drastic. He would move as an amendment, "That the clause summing up the views of the committee be deleted." Mr Christensen seconded the amendment. Mr McKenna said that in drawing up their report the committee had not' been anxious to "get at" the matron or any body else. They were aware of the excellent qualities of the matron. Under the circumstances it did not follow that because the Matron had spoken a little strongly on one occasion they should censure her. The Committee had a very unthankful function to perform. He did not think they had exceeded their duty, but the report might possibly have been worded inj /a milder form. In future when a nurse was to be appointed great care should be exercised. He had nothing to cay against the present nurses. On the whole, as far as he could see, they were capable and would be able to carry out their duties in a,n efficient manner. In regard to committees he would like to see a special committee permanently set up to make surprise visits to the institution weekly. This would not be reflecting on the matron. It would bean assistance to her and show that the Board took an interest in the institution. Mr Derrett (Chairman) endorsed the view that the committee appointed toconduct the enquiry was in a better, position to judge than was the Board. The committee had arrived at their conclusions from the evidence laid before them, and he failed to see that they could have arrived at any other conclusion. The speaker testified to the good work that the matron had done not only in connection with the hospital but in connection with the bazaar, and he certainly thought there was nothing in the report which had not been deserved. The amendment upon being put was lost, and the resolution adopting the renort was carried on the voices. — Abridged from Patea Press.