Christchurch Hospital Troubles.

Southland Times, Issue 13280, 5 August 1895, Page 3

Christchurch Hospital Troubles.

OUTSIDE CHARGES DISPROVED. (By Telegraph. ) Wellington Aug, 3. The report of Dr Giles on the Christchurch Hospital inquiry was laid on the table of the House yesterday. It deals at considerable length with the allegations contained in a letter signed “ Tongariro.” Dr Giles finds that it is not true, as stated, that the house surgeon compelled young girls to be present and assist in holding the limbs of men during delicate operations, and he dismisses the allegations under this head as destitute of any foundation in fact. The evidence also shows that the charge that no applicant has a chance of being placed on the nursing staff unless she belongs to the Church of England is untrue. On four occasions the house surgeon ordered patients to be put on bread and water if they did not obey the rules of the ward, but these instructions were not carried out. Dr Giles points out that as the house surgeon had power of summary dismissal in cases of insubordination the miner alternative cannot be regarded as a serious 'grievance. It seems pretty clear from the evidence that the food department of the hospital has not yet become quite what it ought to be, but it is hoped the improvements to be now introduced will remove the grounds of complaint. Several other minor allegations against the administration of the house doctor are also found to be untrue. The house surgeon committed a grave error of judgment in refusing admission at 9 p.m. to a girl who was very ill and had been brought a long distance, but other charges under this head are pot sustained. Various charges of cruelty, indifference and neglect against the house surgeon are dealt with at some length by Dr Giles, who holds that they fall to the ground. The accusation that the house surgeon was drunk while in charge of the hospital, and various charges of cruelty, inattention, etc., against the matron are all totally disproved. Dr Giles finds that in spite of the disaffection among the nurses, they never failed to discharge their duties to the best of their ability, In conclusion he says that the appointment of an assistant resident medical officer is one of the urgent needs of the hospital, and he suggests the foundation of a nurses’ pension fund. The report is of a voluminous character, consisting of 13 pages closely written.