WHANGAREI HOSPITAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22210, 10 September 1935, Page 10

WHANGAREI HOSPITAL

INSURANCE AGAINST CLAIMS RELIEF OFFICER APPOINTED [ISY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT | WHANGAREI, Monday At to-day's meeting of the Whangnrei Hospital Board a letter was received from tho Minister of Health, Sir Alexander Young, dealing with tho effect of tho Court of Appeal decision in tho Waitnki Hospital Board case, where it was hold that the board was responsible for negligenco on tho part of nurses and doctors in its employ. Tho Minister recommended that boards should protect themselves by insurance to cover such claims. Tho chairman, Mr. J. A. S. Mackay, said it appeared quite* plain that the board should insure and accept responsibility. It charged for nursing the patients, and he had no doubt personally that tho board should bo liable for any negligenco. Tho position in England and Scotland, which was quoted to the Court, was different as in those countries tho hospital were mostly chirritable institutions. Mrs. V. Donaldson agreed. Sho said that although claims such as tho Waitaki Hospital case wore not frequent it was probably becnuse people did not know they could succeed. It was decided to take out a policy for £4OOO annually, any one accident not to exceed £IOOO insurance. Tho board to-day considered 45 applications. for the position of a fulltime relief officer. Previously the position was only a part-time occupation, and was made vacant by the recent death of Mr. W. H. Gillespie. The board appointed Mr. A. E. Brown, of Whangarei, to tho position.