TREATMENT OF A NURSE

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 403, 12 January 1909, Page 6

TREATMENT OF A NURSE

A NAPIER CASE. (BY TELEGEAriI—SrECIAL CORP.EBrONDEKT.) • Napier, January 11. The history of the case of 'Miss Katkerine Brown, an ex-nurse in the Napier Hospital, and the trustees-of that institution-, bids fair to develop,into a cause celebre in the treatment of employees by a. local, body. Some eighteen months ago, Miss Brown'was suspended by the matron of the hospital, MiES Edwards, on a complaint of alleged ill-treat-roent of a child. An inquiry was held by the trustees into the circumstances;' and it was decided that there was not sufficient evidence to warrant Miss Brown's dismissal, and tlio was re-instated. At, a subsequent meeting, the-trustees decided to dispense Miss Bivwn's services, and she mS given one month's notice. Miss Brown then brought: air action against the trustees for, wrongful dismissal,: and, claimed, £200.damages*.. It was urged on her behalf that,' owing to. her. wrongful dismissal, she was debarred from obtaining her certificate, as a fully qualified'.nurse, and her career was blasted. After prolonged delay, the'case was heard .before Mr. S. E. M'Carthy, S.M., .who gave judgment in her favour, and said the. case was' undoubtedly one for substantial damages. Ho awarded her £125 and costs.

,■ At tho last meeting of' the- trustees, the chairman (Mr. C. H., Cranby)"-stated that their solicitors had advised an. appeal, - and this he supported. _ This, course' was. strongly opposed by . a .'section, of .the wno stated plainly that Miss Brown should nover have been: dismissed.. It' was "ultimately' decided. to refer, the - case to :SolicitofrGeneral, and, upon his opinion being received, to| .decide , whether an . appeal, should be -proceeded with. .!/. ; Tho latest pliase.pf the -.unfortunate; affair, came up at the monthly meeting of- the. trustees to-day., .The chairman;.said there waß nothing to report in regard.to : tho,matter. ' .Mr. Eagleton said' he,, had. a ...peculiar, question to,ask: he wished to knoW if the cnairman had.' instructed >' their .solicitors, on ; December 1 last'to'lodge an appeal, which was done, while' pn the -fofloiving J'dajr; a ' letter from tie i solicitors':advisingappeal was laid ,:beforo T . a: ' meeting' -.'of' tho irustees, but the'' members were; not,"acquainted'.'with the l fact.-that' the; chairman ! had, already- lodged dne. -, i .'Tho Chairman said, he: understood- he had informed, the'.board that such van appeal had been lodged. ■■ ,' ■ ! Mr. .Eagleton:You; did not. iVjlii The Chairm.alri: It .was naturally..my, duty to have done so. , . i Mr. Eagleton ". objected ' strongly.;..to the course, that ; had been taken. - Ho asked tho chairman if ho did. not want"' the board to back him up, .or Jf.,, he- thought'Kmself the bgard. .-: , - • i. ■ i . Th e Chairnmn'said he was prepared to take the ..responsibility for. what had been, done.:. 1 . : Mr.'Eagletoti'said that what, lad been done would ■' not- me«t;. with ; the'approval of .the public of' Napier or of Hawke's Bay. This would know if he. had to" go to the public for'elcction. • ' • ..;, i Mr: Cranby,' said he. would.: bo. quite, prepared to 'do 'this;. V - '

1 ..Mr,. 'M'Grath considered/that Miss' Brown had; beeri shamefully treated;' an? : the board had-.np-.' right'- to .-.keep,: this l "-'appeal" hanging over her'head. : '/ •// '; ; : : /-. i Mr.. Eagleton. gave notice of the following motion, for. the meeting K;- Brown be/allowed -to "resume'her duties at the Napier Hospital (she.npt.haying- bberi legally i discharged), so : may be enabled' to:.'bnritinne//her^training; 'that .her pages'' be'.paid/frbm'Vthe! time: ; she was pre-., .rented/from' following-li'erVdutiesalso' the exponses. she- has .'-been iput to -over', the mat-' ferj/providing/the above'-do: notVesoee'd theamount' of-, the Courtjudgment she .'has already secured, and' further/provided that Nurse Brown foregoes any claim) outside the above, against the Hospital Trustees."