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Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 892, 15 May 1903, Page 4

ted to llic speaker lliaf; lie should go into tlie Hospital, whereas In t lie second just ante it was true that. the suggestion had been made, other arrangements bavins failed. This gen'lleman first of all made other arrangements, but they bavins failed, lie said, “ How about going into the general hospital ? T Hr. Mottisun pointed out that, by doing so the patient placed bint in rattier a difficult position, and that lie I bought, the operation that was required could lie done perfectly well in bis own home ; to that the patient consented, and from that time the patient never complained to him. 'I he patient never really eame to him and said thill he wished to go into the Hospital. There was thus really nothing amounting to refusal. One patient never suggested that he should go in--1,, the Hospital, and the other, when he suggested it, the speaker pointed out to him that the operation could he done outside, had agreed to this. This was a case where there were other difficulties. The patient had practically arranged beforehand to go into a private hospital, and this made il very difficult for the speaker to acquiesce straight away that, he should go into the 1 lospital. Not that, lie reaily refused the gentleman at }l jl—ho simply Void him V-haV it pul him (Dr Morrison) in a difficult posit ion, and it, was an operation that could he managed in the patients own house. The* Chairman : One patient did not ask Dr Morrison : lie never even suggested it. 'the Chairman : Did 1 ever have any conversation with you with reference lo Ihese patients? Dr Morrison : No. I never had any conversation with vnu as regards one or the other. It is rather hard on me lo allow an impression lo get abroad that I reiused admission to die Hospital ; that is just hearsay. So far as I tun aware neither parent has complained that, he was refused admission. it. has simply come about from hcresay". Mr Joyce : 1 do not think it was so hard on you, doctor, as on the Chairman, from what I iteatd at iasl meeting. . .. The Chairman: I was accused "I the responsibility ol it all, even D> instigating the Doctor. Mr Johnston : it was T who accused the Chairman of giving his eonsent, and if 1 judged wrongly, I apologise. But: I think the discussion will not do any harm. A great many of the public and friends of the gentlemen whose names had been mentioned had got the impression that 1 from their social position they were discouraged from going to the Hospital, that one at least was led to understand that he would not he admitted. The public have got that impression. I was asked as a Trustee hv more than half a dozen people whether it, was true that, people able to pay for operations could not he admitted to the Hospital. I brought the matter up, as 1 considered it my duty to do so. If the by-laws had been understood, there would have been no occasion for the discussion. But T do not consider the discussion Inis done any harm. It will give if out; to the public that, nobody lias been refused admission to the Hospital.

The Cliairimin’ Unless 1 hey do not medically require it. Mr Dewing : H; is nol. all streetcorner talk Mr Johns! on : We arc here as the servants of the public, and it. is our duty to enquire into such matters. Mr Dewing: T have been asked the question. Where are we going to draw the line? I low well off must a person he to he refused admission ? One gentleman told me he would support the Hospital no more. Mr Johnston : It was quite common talk. Mr DewingWe must have the thing cleared up. Mr Johnston : People have got the impression at the present, moment. The Chairman: Because they won’t, take tiie trouble to disabuse their minds. Mr Johnston : Then their minds should he disabused ? Tlie Chairman : They ought to enquire into (he by-laws, hut won’t take tße trouble. Mr Johnston : r am sorry that Dr. Mol rison thinks - we were disrespeetlul towards him, because there was noth nig of that kind—there was nothing against him. Dr, Morrison : [ ,|„ no (.. u,jnk that, Inn: w.iere anything like this comes up 1 should he given an opportunity 0 denying or clearing j|. up (hen, jnslead of having to wait a monlb. Mi .Johns!on : I have often argued "jo' Iheie should lie more confidence between the doctor and (he trustees. Mr Maefarlane :_ If, seems lo nm ■llnil the thing has arisen through ignorance of I lie by-laws, Doth i> v Uie public and one of our old members.

Air Wallis said if was time t.lirv got some more copies of Ihe l>v-l,iws piloted, and .Mr Dewing suggested Unit there was only Lite one copy In existence. Air .Job n .lon : T challenge anv member of the Board to say he has gol. a copy. The Chairman : I have had lots of (hem. Air Maefarlane : T have a copy, Air Dewing : I never had one. Dr. Morrison said a question f.u consider was as to whether the bylaws should lie strictly adhered to. It was not always convenient to get the signatures of two Trustees. The Chairman said that if they interpreted the by-law strictly the medical officer must, sign the order. There had been acrimonious discussions in the past on that phase of the siihject, llie other doctors claiming the right to also sign permits. A good deal would depend on the doctor as to whether there was time to get tlie Trustees' signatures. Air Tunhy : Yes, if we have redtape file patient, may suffer. Air Dewing : We must have confidence in tlie Doctor. Mr .Joyce : 1 understand from wiiat has passed that a man's financial position is no obstacle to admission to tin - Hospital. This lees : No. The Chairman : It never has been. Air Tiiohy : It is open lo all. Mr Joyce : Well, let (hat; go to tiie public. The following new form under the by-law was submiteed, having been drawn tip by the Chairman and Secretary “ Gisborne Hospital. Gisborne (date).—We hereby authorise that (name and address) be admitted as a patient to the Gisborne Hospital.— (Signatures of two Trustees.) i certify that tlie above-named applicant is a lit, subject, for Hospital treatment. (Signal tire of medical practitioner.) Approved. (Sjgnature of medical superintendent;.-