COMPLAINT REFUTED

Waipawa Mail, Volume LXVII, Issue 102, 12 May 1939, Page 3

COMPLAINT REFUTED

ADMISSION OF CHILD TO HOSPITAL. In a special report submitted to the monthly meeting of the Waipawa Hospital Board on Wednesday, Dr. W. B. Fisher, medical superintendent, stated that the charge of negligence in connection with the alleged delay in admitting and treating a baby suffering from burns was not true and added that the admission of the patient could not have been improved upon and that it was an example of efficient team work. He added further that he could not detect the slightest degree of negligence in any of the staff. The case was one in which Mr C. Thomsen, a member of the Board, had reported complaints conveyed to him, the suggestion being that a scalded child had not been attended to as quickly as was desirable, and that time was wasted in taking particulars of age, parentage, address, religion, etc. It was shown by the superintendent that not only was there a doctor waiting to give treatment hut a bed had been specially warmed for the patient. Mr Thomsen expressed himself as satisfied with the doctor’s statement. The chairman (Mr W. H. Rathbone) said he regretted the complaint made against the medical and nursing staff. The statement tendered to the meeting had exonerated them from the blame.

The Board accepted the explanation given by Dr. Fisher and expressed the opinion that everything necessary was done and there was no reflection on the staff. It was decided to forward a letter to the child’s parents explaining the position.