PUBLIC MORGUE NOW NECESSARY FOR DISTRICT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 86, 13 May 1949, Page 5

PUBLIC MORGUE NOW NECESSARY FOR DISTRICT

Can people who have died outside the hospital be admitted to the Whakatane District Hospital morgue? This question was asked at a meeting of the Bay of Plenty Hospital Board yesterday and after discussion it was found that outside bodies did not have to be admitted.

The question arose when Mr J. P. Caulfield mentioned the case of a man who had died suddenly out in the country and was brought in to the morgue by the ambulance. The ambulance staff had left the body to be taken into the morgue where it was admitted by hospital staff.

The morgue was for the hospital only, the medical superintendent, Dr E. T. Dawson, told the meeting. However, the Borough and County Councils had not provided a public morgue so that outside bodies were taken by the hospital. If it came to a point it would be found that the morgue was really for bodies where the death had taken place inside the hospital. “We have never refused a body brought in from outside,” he added. Mr A. F. McGougan: It seems to me that it is a matter for the Borough and County Councils to provide a public morgue at Whakatane.

“The time has arrived \Vhen a public morgue should be provided In the district,” Mr L. Buddie said. “If one cannot be built, then the Borough and County Councils may be able to come to some agreement with this Board.” Dr Dawson said that it could be done, but it must be clearly pointed out that the hospital staff would not attend to outside bodies. That was not part of their nursing duties. Mr C. A. Suckling: I would never agree to our staff attending bodies brought in from outside the hospital.

In the past no body had been refused entry to the morgue, the matron, Miss K. Miller, pointed out. Although it was used by the local undertaker, he had always let her know when he would be admitting a body.

“I think the time has arrived when the public should be told the true position of the morgue arrangements,” Mr Suckling declared.

Other members agreed and it was decided to prepare a statement for the press to publish. A copy is also to be sent to the Whakatane Borough and County Councils suggesting that they give some consideration to establishing a public morgue.