HOSPITAL REGULATIONS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8328, 29 September 1898, Page 4

HOSPITAL REGULATIONS

INCURABLE PATIENTS.

At the meeting of the Hospital Trustees last eveniug, Air Taylor brought under the notice of the Board the question of incurable patientß. Referring to a case which headed the list of fees due, Mr Taylor said that month after month tin's particular case had been allowed to pass, but it was now time that something definite was arrived at. The Board had been accused on all sides of showing favoritism. If the ease was incurable, then tho patient should be shifted to the Old Men's Home. Ho (Mr Taylor) did not think one inmate of the Hospital should be better served than another. There was a lot of talk from outside regarding this case, and it was time the Board took a firm stand in the matter. If the gentleman had been less favorably situated he would not have been allowed to remain in the Hospital. Had he (Mr Taylor) been in tho institution under similar circumstances ho would have been ousted long since. Mr Tuoliy was not prepared to say that there had been any favoritism in this case. There had, no doubt, been considerable talk about it, and of their own knowledge they knew the man had been in the Hospital for nearly three years. This was certainly against their rule!:. The man in question suffered from a chronic | disease, and was incurable. The only thing they could do was to bund the mailer over to the Charitable Aid Board.

The Chairman thought it was a great pity tho matter had not. been mentioned before Dr. Craig left the room. He (Mr Nolan) had noo seen the patient referred to for several months. He thought the best course to adopt would be to ask the doctor to report on the case to the next meeting. The Board could not very well dismiss the man from tho Hospital unless the doctor said he was to go.

Mr Tuoliy would not. be a party to putting the man out. The matter had, however, cropped up repeatedly, and it was time the Board dealt with in a business-like maimcr.

Mr Finn stated that the invalid had hccji admitted to the Hospital on the '21st March, 1893, and since that time had only paid the sum of .i'4o, though he was expected to contribute the sum of .I'l per week. It had been suggested by Mr Taylor that such consideration had not been shown to other inmates of the Hospital, and it would perhaps bo as well for the Boavd to enquire into the present case. Mr Taylor had stated that other people suffering from the same complaint had been ordered out of the Hospital.

Mr Taylor : I do not say that they were exactly ordered out, but they had (o'leave; yet they have had room for this gcntlcmii'i for over three years. Let us treat all alike and show favor to none.

Mr Finn thought it was a sad case. If the young man was not in a condition to leave the Hospital members would, he. wus sure, he slow to put him out. Still he thought, thai no distinction should 1«? bliown hy the Board, mid if others h.nl l'cen compelled to leave this one must do the same. He thought l>r Craig should be tusked to report upui. the ease.

Mr Tuohy : Will you road the bye-law dealing with the question ? The Chairman : It is one of our rules that we do not take chronic eases. In tho p'esent case it was not thought when the man was admitted that lie would rcmaiu long in the institution. Mr Tuohy mentioned the names of two eases in which such generous treatment had not been extended by the Board.

Mr Taylor : I am also told that this young man was the cause of the rumpus beUveon the nurses, some particulars of which we have lrarnerl in the discussion that lias taken place tin's evening on the minutes.

Mr Harding: "That has nothing to do with it.," and cries of "chair" from other members.

Mr Taylor : I think we should give him a month's notice from this date, or perhaps we might ask the Charitable Aid Board to take him.

Mr Finn : Would it not be advisable to have the report from the doctor ?

Mr Harding said members had often talked the matter over, and had upon several occasions considered various Migqcstions to meet the case. He had suggested that a private subscription should be made to send the man home, but from inquiries be found that the man's people were i.ot able to contribute towards his maintenance. A committee should, he thought, be appointed to see the doctor and report at a future meeting. Members should take a moic humane view of the case and endeavor to help the young fellow. Let them forget that they were trustees of the Hospital Board for "the time, ami see if they could not do something for tho man. A committee might be formed to bring up a report as to what was best to be done.

Mr Harding's suggestion was adopted, Messrs Warren, Finn, Harding, and Taylor being the committee appointed.