THE DEATH OF MRS MACDONALD.

Otago Witness, Issue 3542, 31 January 1922, Page 21

THE DEATH OF MRS MACDONALD.

ESCAPE FROM THE DUNEDIN HOSPITAL. An inquiry was held by the Otago Hospital Board into the circumstances under which a patient, Mrs Catherine Susan Macdonald, escaped from the Dunedin Hospital. Mrs Macdonald escaped from the institution on January 5 and was found in a dying condition on January 17. Reports were read from Dr Vivian, assistant medical officer at the Hospital, and by Dr Falconer, medical superintendent, and evidence was given by these two medical men, and also by Sidney Dunldey (treasurer of an association that had given work lo Mrs Macdonald before she went to the Hospital). Dr Fitchett (who had seen her during her stay in the Hospital), Dr C. .8. Murray (who had examined her at the outpatients’ department), Nurses Violet Breeze, Ethel Miles, May Cameron, Clarice Simpsen, and the matron (Mrs Myles). The only new point brought out was in the evidence of Mr Dunklcy, who stated that Mrs Macdonald bad a position as housekeeper, but she could not. carry out her work. While he was negotiating about getting her admitted into the Warrington Rest Home he received word on the morning of December 18 that she had left tne home where she was staying, and nothing more was heard of her until she turned up at the Children’s Rest Home on the night of the 26th December. When questioned why she had left the place she was staying at she said she could not sleep, and had gone into the bush and had gone to sleep. In procuring her admission to the Hospital Mr Dunkley does not appear to have mentioned this escapade. The evidence of the doctors and nurses was to the effect that the deceased had not shown any sign of mental weakness. As deceased had said she was a light sleeper and did not like to be disturbed, the nurses were longer than usual in going to her bed on the morning she escaped, as they desired to give her a better sleep. When they went to her bed about 10 minutes past 5 in the morning the bed was empty and the window was open. Deceased’s disappearance was reported to the night porter, who had notified the police. As the hour was late when the taking of evidence was concluded it was decided that the committee of the whole board should bring up a report at the next meeting. So far as can be made out the fact that the disappearance of the woman was n— * - reported to the press at once so that a more effective search could have teen made was due to the transfers then in progress among the police sergeants, but why, as days went by, neither the Hospital authorities or the police gave information to the press and public has not been explained.