ST. HELEN'S INQUIRY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 566, 10 May 1913, Page 5

ST. HELEN'S INQUIRY.

COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. Auckland, This Day

Mr Kettle, S.M., the commissioner who inquired into certain allegations concerning the death of Mrs Chamberlain at St. Helen's Hospital, Auckland; also into the general administration of the hospital, reports that owingto the destruction of the nurses' daily report books and neglect to preserve a proper lecord he has been unable to obtain a satisfactory history of Mrs Chamberlain's case. The report further states the evidence does not satisfy me that every effort was taken during the earlier stages of the patient's illnass to ascertain the true causes of her high and increasing temperature. The Commissioner expressed the opinion that matrons in maternity hospitals, or mid-wives in private practice should not be permitted to treat ruptures of the perineum or other such injury except ißfccases of absolute necessity, or when the services of a doctor could not readily be obtained.

Regarding the administration, the building was quite unsuitable for a maternity hospital and the site on which it was erected was not entirely satisfactory. Having regard for tha unfavourable conditions under which the work was carried on there was no rsai grounds for complaint with regard to the matron's management.

Finally, the Commissioner makes recommendations, the chief of which is for a new and up-to-date building.