THE BRYCE CASE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXI, Issue 9850, 31 October 1924, Page 5

THE BRYCE CASE

FURTHER MEDICAL TESTIMONY

PALMERSTON N., Oct. 30. on behalf of the honorary nuchal staff at the Bryce enquiry today with reference to the noni-trest-niont of Miss Jessie Bryce in the Palmerston North hospital, Dr. I). H. .Bell stated that, last year, approximately oC-O operations, excluding, those ioi- eyes, ton.-ils and adenoids, jiad been ncrlormcd by the honorary staff iat the Pi'll! mors ton hospital. At the lowest computation these, in private practice, would realise £ls 15s each. A it ness endorsed the opinion of other doctors tlmt an operation to Miss Bryce was unnecessary. Ho usually accented the word of a patient regarding his or her financial position. Witness would welcome the transfer of the responsibility to tire secretary of an Hospital Board as to the financial status of a patient. He considered .it his duty to the profession to refuse admission solely on the grounds of ali.l.ty to pay for private treatment.

Mr. D. S. Wylie expressed the opinion! in regard to free treatment of those who oould pay and said lie had refused permission to enter a hospital in such cases by transferring the onus on the hospital authorities. Witness approved Dr. Barnett’s action in. l .respect of Miss Bryce’s case. ■ The enquiry was adjourned till tomorrow morning.'—P.A.