FATHER’S COMPLAINTS ABOUT HOSPITAL STAFF FOUND UNJUSTIFIED

Wanganui Chronicle, 9 June 1948, Page 5

FATHER’S COMPLAINTS ABOUT HOSPITAL STAFF FOUND UNJUSTIFIED

(P.A.) Auckland, June 8. A unanimous decision that there was no evidence of neglect or of “experimenting in the hands of students,” as stated by Mr. L. H. Young, of Mount Roskill, was reached by the Auckland Hospital oßard’s investigations committee after a lengthy inquiry into the treatment of Mr. Young’s late son, Leonard Barry Young, aged 13. The boy died in the Auckland Hospital Boat’s investigaand the father later wrote to the board criticising the treatment his son received and the attitude and actions of certain members of the hospital staff. Reporting to the board at its meeting tonight, the committee stated thftt it Investigated the case at great length at three special meetings. It had perused the reports of 13 members of the medical and nursing staff and interviewed 11 witnesses. It was unanimous in finding no evidence of alleged neglect or of “experimenting in the hands of students,” as stated by Mr. Young. The evidence, however, showed a considerable misunderstanding between the father, who was naturally upset and overwrought at the grave illness of his only child, and certain members of the medical and nursing staff, stated the committee .

The primary cause of death in the case of Leonard Barry Young vias septicaemia (blood poisoning) acquired before admission to the hospital and complicated later by pericarditis (heart trouble) and pulmonary infarction (clot of blood to lung) stated the committee.

The committee stated it wished to place on record its strong disapproval of the very unfair statement contained in the letter from Mr. Young that it was not a case to be smoothed over as others had probably been. The board had always made a practice of fully investigating all cases brought to its notice and was, therefore, in the position to deny Mr. Young’s statement. The board adopted the committees report without comment.