HERBERT ACCIDENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26853, 18 August 1948, Page 3

HERBERT ACCIDENT

TELEPHONE TROUBLE DELAYS AMBULANCE HOSPITAL BOARD DISCUSSION Considerable difficulty had been experienced because of telephone trouble at the hospital, in obtaining the services of the ambulance for an accident at Herbert recently in which four persons were injured, said Dr D. J. Miller at the monthly meeting of the Waitaki Hospital Board yesterday. Dr Miller said there was a delay of two hours after the accident before the ambulance left Oamaru, and in view of this fact and the difficulty at nights of getting through to the hospital for long periods a night clerk should be employed to answer the phone. Dr Bevan Brown said the only message received/ was that an accident had occurred. No mention was made of the number to be admitted to hospital, or whether they were men, women or children. There was no reason why the doctor concerned should not ring for an ambulance direct. The message was received at the Maternity Annexe, Dr Brown continued, because the person ringing could not get through to the hospital. A second call was received an hour later, Dr Brown said, to ask where the ambulance was, to which a reply was given that it was thought the ambulance was on its-, way. On making inquiries it was found that the ambulance had not been notified. Unfortunately the telephone at the hospital was engaged for a long period that night. Dr Brown said.! but he did not see why the hospital should be placed in the position of ringing the ambulance unless asked to do so. The chairman, Mr J. Rodman, said he had made inquiries and had found it was not the fault of the hospital that the ambulance had not been notified. Dr Brown said part of the trouble arose over the lines being engaged so often, but the position would be relieved when the new exchange was installed. Mr H. C. Jeffery: The persons concerned should have telephoned the ambulance direct. The secretary, Mr W. M. Richardson, reported that endeavours had been made to obtain the services of a person to answer the telephone at nights and weekends. but this type of vacancy was hard to fill.