EXCLUDING CHILDREN

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 45, 19 February 1946, Page 5

EXCLUDING CHILDREN

VISITORS TO HOSPITAL SUPERINTENDENT'S MENDATION The recommendation from the Medical Superintendent (Dr. E. T. Dawson) that in future children under twelve years of age should be excluded , from the wards during visiting periods found a division of opinion at the meeting of the Wha-< katanc Hospital Board last Thursday. As Dr. Dawson was not present at the meeting it was ' Urged by Messrs Burt and. Caulficld that he should be given a chance, to set out his reasons for the suggestion. The chairman (I*/- J. Mullins) also con-r sidered the age limit too high.

The recommendation stated that the children concerned could be left outside thfc ward in charge of a sister who would be appointed for such, duty. Mr Buddie agreed warmly with the suggestion and added that it was high time the Board took slteps to control the visitors to the institution. Young children could not be expected to realise the need for. silence and discretion. He moved that it be agreed to. Mr Suckling: I suggest that there should be an exception in the case of a child visiting its parents. Mr Buddie: The suggestion is designed to protect mothers from just such occasions.

Mr McGougan thought that if the Superintendent recommended it there must be very sound reasons to back it up and therefore the Board should support it, Mr Burt: It means that if you were in hospital 3~ou would not be permitted to see your child under twelve years. The chairman: That's the position.

Mr Burt said he could not agree and moved that the matter be deferred until next meeting in order to hear the doctor's reasons.

Mr Burt's amendment when put to the meeting was tarried by 4 votes to 3.