HOSPITAL TREATMENT

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14264, 15 January 1920, Page 5

HOSPITAL TREATMENT

COMPLAINT AT INQUEST.

"NO ASSISTANCE GIVEN." THE CORONER'S COMMENTS. Giving evidence at, an inquest at Hamilton yesterday, on the death of a farmer named Samuel Hannah, who was admitted to and died at the Waikato Hospital, as the result of an accident he met with at Waerenga. one of the witnesses, named George William Elliott, who motored the injured man into Hamilton, complained of the very casual treatment he received" at the hospital when he arrived with the patient. He had, he stated, previously rung up the institution from Ohinewai, informing them that he was bringing an injured man along, hut when they reached the hospital he and his companion received no assistance whatever, while not even a stretcher, was placed (it their disposal and they had to carry the injured man in themselves. While in this case the patient probably su.ffer'ed. no more as a result, [\ might have happened to a person witll an injured spine, when very serious injury and probably death would have resulted.

The coroner stated that while the complaint was one more for the Hospital Board to deal with, he regretted to hear that such treatment had been received by witness. All expected the speediest and best treatment of an injured person when taken to a hospital, and while it was generally recognised that the Waikato Hospital staff was overworked, still that was scarcely a reason for the casual and "airy" treatment of wW<sh witness had complained. Dr. Sower's Statement.

Mr Elliott's allegations were referred to Dr Cower, Surgeon Superintendent, by a Times representative. The doctor states that word was received at 2.30 p.m. that an urgent case was on its way, and a bed in tflQ casualty ward was immediatfl'J prepared. The car, however, did ft'ot appear, for some time, and m arrival it, NY3S backed against the ■casualty ward, leaving a distance of 'oftVy 15 feet between the car and 'the bed which the patient was to occupy. The two men who brought the patient along had the assistance Of the matron and charge nurse, who thought it inadvisable to lift the injured man on to a stretcher and then off again on to the bed, when the distance he had to be carried was so short. He was all huddled up :n the car, and had to be lifted out somehow, and the two men with him were probably better able, under the circumstances' to do this than anybody else, at the same time occasioning no delay. Within two minutes of being placed in bed, he was seen personally by him (Dr Cower). The doctor did not see what more could have been done under the circumstances.