CHILD'S DEATH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22400, 22 April 1936, Page 14

CHILD'S DEATH

PATIENT IN HOSPITAL COMPLAINT BY MOTHER SUPERINTENDENT'S REFLY INQUIRY TO BE HELD "This is a very sad case," said tho chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board, Mr. W.' Wallace, when a pathetic letter of complaint was read to the board yesterday from a mother whose little girl flad died in hospital recently. The writer was Mrs. L. Hawson, of Fern Glen Road, St. Heliers Bay, who alleged that she had received liarsh treatment from tho medical superintendent and iroin a sister at tho hospital. "What it is to be the sad mother of a dying child in Auckland Hospital!" began the writer. "May I voice my sorrows to soften harder hearts?" She went on to say that her little girl of five, so bright and uncomplaining, had received a terrible injury to her head and skull. Infection set in and internal bleeding. After one serious operation the child appeared to the doctors to be well enough to go home, she said. Hiev said she was fretting terribly, and the mother said they telephoned and told her to take the child out. "The sister said the child was all right," wrote the mother, "but any ordinary person could plainly see that she was in a serious condition. I did all I could, but she was in cruel pain, and not ablo to keep any food down. She was rapidly getting worse, and tho local doctor sent her back after three days. Alleged Refusal o! Pass

"I went up to the hospital next day to try and get a pass to see the child for a few minutes each day," continued the letter. "I fully realised she was in a hopeless condition." When approached, the mother said, the sister in charge stated: "She is tho most discontented child we ever had here, and never appears to have been a normal happy child." The mother went to tho medical superintendent, Dr. J. W. Craven, to get a pass, but he refused without seeing her. The child had another serious operation and looked like death, but, tho mother was allowed only one hour on the visiting days to sit beside her. The child rapidly became worse, and died while being operated on on a Saturday morning. "What a help it would have been," continued the writer, "if I could have sat by tho little soul and held her hand for a little while each day. Dr. Craven said to me to go home and stay home. It was nothing to worry about. If it was his child he would not worry. I knew then he was not in his right place. Why punish a little child so?" The writer concluded by saying she would be grateful if the letter were read before the board. Superintendent's Explanation A report on the case from the medical superintendent, Dr. Craven, was then read. Dr. Craven said the child had been sent home because she was fretting badly and her progress was being retarded. It was thought a period at home would assist her. It was explained to the mother that the child's condition did not warrant the issue of a special pass. It was not considered that the child was likely to die. When it was realised that her condition was becoming desperate every facility was granted. He understood that the father had been a regular attendant at the bedside. "No barrier is ever raised against parents or relatives visiting patients who are considered seriously ill," concluded tho superintendent. "How long was the child in hospital the second time before she died?" asked Dr. J. P. Hastings. The superintendent said he thought she had been there five weeks. Mr. G. T. Parvin said he hoped the board would not accept the superintendent's bald statement. The matter should be considered in committee with all the people concerned before tho board. It was about time they did something to remove these complaints that were doing the board no good. Dr. Graven Defended' Mrs. M. M. Dreaver said sho felt very sorry for tho mother, but in fairness to the medical superintendent she must say that sho had referred numbers of mothers to him in similar circumstances and never had there been a refusal. Dr. Hastings said he had always found tho medical superintendent very satisfactory in these matters. This happening suggested to him another argument in favour of having two senior medical men. Dr. E. B. Gunson said if they were going to discuss tho matter he would like some more information. Tho chairman said they ought to have tho fullest information. Dr. Gunson moved that they get the fullest information through the medical superintendent from all the parties concerned. Mr. J. Waddell said he did not think it was fair to take the mother's letter just as it stood and to call the superintendent's letter a bald statement. "I refuse to believe that ho is a hardhearted man," said Mr. Waddell. After tho chairman had explained that it was the intention to have the fullest possible inquiry Dr. Gunson's motion was carried. Another Complaint Tho board had also before it a letter of complaint from Mr. A. C. Kerr, who had been treated at tho out-patient department after losing a finger in machinery. He complained that the finger became septic and he had to seek outsido advice. Ho made a strong protest against the treatment he had received at the hospital, which he said had caused him considerable pa'in and extra expense. "1 look to the board to recompense me," ho said. Commenting on this the medical superintendent said tho finger was surgically dirty when the man came in, and it naturally became a little septic. Ho probably ceased his treatment at the auxiliary department a little too soon. If he had continued he would probably have received the, same treatment as he received outside. It was decided to invite Mr. Kerr to meet the medical superintendent, who would explain tho whole position to him. Another item on the board's agenda comprised 12 letters of appreciation from grateful patients and relatives of patients. "That is the other side of tho picture," said a member of the board.