NURSE’S NEGLECT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18529, 16 October 1934, Page 11

NURSE’S NEGLECT

BOARD NOT LIABLE DAMAGES CLAIM FAILS (Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, this day. An important judgment of the Supreme Court this morning was that of Air. Justice Kennedy in a claim against the Waitaki Hospital Board for L2OCO damages for injuries alleged to be due to negligent treatment by nurses. The case was heard in Oamaru in July. The, plaintiff, who sustained injuries at the Waitaki hydro works, was ju a state of collapse after the opciation, and a house surgeon ordered the use of a radiant heat cradle, during the use of which the knee was burned. Some time after discharge, septic infection necessitated amputation. His Honor held that in some unobserved period the patient was burned on the knee, and that such injury would not have occurred had the nurse i.i charge properly applied her professional skill. His Honor held, however, that in professional treatment, as apart from the ministerial treatment of a patient, a nurse was bound to apply her professlonal skill and training, subject to the orders of the- doctor and not of the board. The proper inference was that the board could not interfere by rule or supervision with her work in such cirnmiiDlonnnc ntirl ill Sllf'll 11’PJlt.niPnt*

cumstances, and in suen ueaunena under the doctor, she was not the board s servant. eH held that the neglect was not in the matter of mere ministerial ward duty, nor routine, but in the discharge of professional duty, and judgment given for the defendant hoard with costs.