HOSPITAL INQUIRY

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20230, 25 June 1937, Page 8

HOSPITAL INQUIRY

MATRON’S STORY. LACK OF CO-OPERATION. COURT TEMPORARILY CLEARED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) NAPIER, Friday. The hospital inquiry was resumed this morning. After hearing some evidence in open court the Commission decided to exclude the public and the press while oertain evidence was heard. The matron, Miss L. M. Croft, said she made rounds of the wards daily except on days when she went to Hastings Hospital. She spoke to each patient during her rounds and commented with the sisters on the patients’ progress. Mr. Foden: Did a patient make reference to cockroaches?—l was on annual leave at the time. That is a tribute to your efficiency if they come only when you are on holiday. Have you seen any cockroaches in the hospital?—Yes, Sir, and I have reported the matter to the medical superintendent. ' Have you seen them on food?—No Sir. Do you obtain the fullest co-opera-tion of every sister?—Of recent months I have found that I have not had the co-operation of one sister. Which sisler was that? —The sister of the Shrimpton Ward. Which sister?—The present sister or the ex-sister? Delay With Order. The Commission was cleared while Miss Croft gave further evidence. For the last 12 months witness thought that she had received every co-opera-tion in the matter of requisitions but prior to that she had felt that she had not. An order for gown stands, for instance, had not been fulfilled as rapidly as witness thought they might have been, several months having been required for the stands to make their appearance. She had never been given an explanation for the delay. Mr. Foden: Do you make a routine inspection of the hospital in company with the house manager for the purpose of looking over necessary- repair work?—Yes. How often?—The first Monday of every month. Do you know any instances or directions in which the conduct of any member of the staff, the honorary staff or the board has been detrimental to the discipline and co-operation of thd nursing staff?—Yes.

Your definite answer indicates that you have no doubt in the matter?— There is no doubt in my mind. Can you give any names? Witness gave a name.

BITTINQ IN CAMERA. ALLEGED DELETERIOUS INFLUENCE (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) NAPIER. Friday. The hospital inquiry is now sitting in camera hearing evidence concerning alleged influences n the institution, which were calculated to have a deleterious effect in the work of the hospital. BECRETARY ASPERSED. CRITICISM BY DOCTOR. QUESTION OF CO-OPERATION. (Special to Times.) NAPIE'R, Thursday. The question whether any action of any member of the staff of the Napier Publio Hospital, including the honorary doctors and the board itself, had been detrimental to the discipline or effective co-operation of the staff in the carrying-out of their duties, and, further, as to any matters generally related to the management and administration of the hospital, was considered to-day by the Royal Commission investigating the affairs of the hospital. “ Have you had the utmost co-opera-tion from the managing secretary?” asked Mr N. A. Foden, Grown solicitor, of Dr. J. J. Foley, medical superintendent. Witness: Yes. There has not been any active obstruction. * Mr Foden: Your hesitation suggests that you thought the answer out very carefully, and you used the term ‘‘active obstruction.” Would you suggest he had not been as he should have been in some things from the medical side?

Witness: I think he put the screw on, rather.

Your answer almost suggests the suspicion that the managing secretary does not always consider the welfare of the patients in carrying out his duties?—He is watching the finances. The hearing was adjourned.

age of benzine may be experienced in Hamilton.

However, ihe consensus of opinion among leading petrol distributors hero is that there is little fear of a shortage for four or five days. Every effort, will he made by local traders to ensure that essential services are maintained on the road and in order to do this, supplies of petrol to private Individuals will have to be curtailed and even refused in the event of the trouble spreading over the safety limit.

The prices of petrol will not be increased no matter how low the supply becomes. A meeting of Hamilton motor traders is being held this afternoon to consider the matter.

BASIS OF DISPUTE. RETROSPECTIVE PAY WANTED. (By Telegraph.—rress Association.) AUCKLAND, Friday. There have been •simmerings of dispute among the drivers for some time. The drivers contend they are factory workers and are entitled to the shorter working week. It is stated that negotiations with Ihe companies commenced several months ago and that it was ruled by the Labour Department, Wellington, that the 40-hour week should be ob-

served by drivers and retrospect])’ payments made. a

The dispute came to a head a week ago when Ihe drivers of petrol waggons decided to cease work to-day unless a settlement was reached.