AMBULANCE DELAYS

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12252, 25 September 1925, Page 5

AMBULANCE DELAYS

WAITING FOR THE DOCTOR

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE POLICE.

Possible reasons for delay in the arrival of the ambulanco to deal wit.i cases of accident or illnees were given at the meeting of the Wellington Hospital Board yesterday by Mr F. Castle He stated that during the visit of the American fleet an accident to a sailor was- dealt with promptly.' ho being sent to the hospital at once. Since then a woman was bl ocked down between 11 and 12 o’clock one morning, and wae brought into his pharmacy. He suggested that she should be taken to the hospital straight away, and was told that the police had rung up twelve doctors and could not get cue. When he asked if they had called the ambulance the reply was that they would not admit the patient without a doctor’s order. A similar case also happened in regard to a man taken ill in the street. He (Mr Castle) would like to know if it was the practice that in cases of accidents or illness it was necessary for a doctor to see the case before getting the ambulance and sending it to the hospital ? The chairman (Mr C. M. Luke): I think not.

Mr Castle suggested that such occurrences might account for delay in the arrival of the ambulance. He thought the police should call the ambulance at once as well as a doctor.

■ The chairman replied that any such cases had ready admission to the hospital. Evidently the police were not well versed in the matter, and the information should be forwarded to the department. They should first ring up the ambulance and get a doctor. Dr. Wilson, medical superintendent, replied that any such cases would receive admission to the hospital at once, and the ambulance would attend.

It was decided to write to the police authorities accordingly.