MANAGEMENT OF HOSPITAL

Southland Times, Issue 23227, 16 June 1937, Page 6

MANAGEMENT OF HOSPITAL

Royal Commission’s Inquiry EVIDENCE OF SISTER CONTINUED (United Press Association) NAPIER, June 15. The Royal Commission inquiring into the management of the Napier Hospital continued its sitting today. The sister in charge of the ward where the disease broke out said she understood that hot bath treatment was dangerous towards the end. Witness added that when the temperature of the bath reached 120 degrees the treatment was conducted by Dr Berry and witness. No record was kept during the treatment. The child’s heart beats rose to 168, but she could not say what was the child’s temperature at death. . Witness stated that one record sheet had been so torn up by the children that it could not be repaired. Others had been tom, but not so badly. These had been mended. She had had assistance for part of the time the children were in isolation. Dr Berry’s manner was kind to the children and he always observed medical etiquette to other patients. After the bath of 120 degrees temperature the child’s temperature was between 104 and IQS. Witness thought infection came from one source. She thought the medical superintendent could have discussed the whole matter with her. She had reported one nurse' for not obeying her instructions. Her technique was not at fault. The treatment was not considered in the nature of an experiment. She did not report the collapse of the ehild because Dr Berry had said the child was satisfactory. She was never asked to tell the medical superintendent what was going on. Another honorary doctor had never ordered treatment for his patients. She had not, at the previous inquiry, given such full evidence because her legal adviser so instructed her. She complained that one nurse was incompetent and was told it was the nurse’s last chance. Witness admitted being superseded for insubordination.- She was reinstated and again suspended. A member of the honorary medical staff said he gave instructions for the treatment of the children and the checking of infection.. The treatment was changed without his knowledge and, later, with his approval. He did not know his patients were given hot baths. He protested against his treatment being altered. H# had tried to get into a bath at 110 degrees and could only just bear it. But there were personal variations. One hundred and twenty degrees would be dangerous to young children.