HOSPITAL INQUIRY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2077, 20 October 1880, Page 2

HOSPITAL INQUIRY.

A preliminary meeting was held at the Drainage Board Offices at ten this morning, to make arrangements for the inquiry by Dr. Skae, as prayed by the Local Board of Health, into the present system of hospital management, and the alleged discrepancy in the medical certificate re the oauee of death of a late patient in that institution. Dr Skae asked if counsel would be employed. Mr Harman replied in the affirmative. Tho Mayor and the Hospital Board were surprised that counsel was to be employed. Dr. Skae pointed out if the Board of Health did so it was necessary the Hospital Board should do likewise.

Mr Hawkes said if bo, it was necessary to grant time to prepare the case. In reply to a question from Dr. Prins, Mr Q-arrick said the Board of Health complained that the course pnrsued at the Hospital was not conducive to heath. In reply to Dr. Skae he said no particular charge would be preferred. Dr. Campbell said the Board of Health had made a distinct charge to the Government, hence the Commission, and therefore he for one refused to deal vrith the matter unless a distinct charge was made. Dr. Skae explained that the complaint made to Government referred to Mrs Keetley's death, which was said to arise from on« cause, whilst in fact it arose from another. He thought it would be better if a distinct charge was preferred. Dr. Campbell asked that the medical staff he furnished with a copy of the complaint made to Government, and also the chairman'! letter, which, as it was not printed, had not been seen by that body. Dr. Prins remarked the staff had held no meeting, but were only acting from what had been published in the newspapers and the communication from Dr. Skae. He wished it understood that the staff desired every facility to be given to any enquiry. Mr Garrick wished it understood there waa

bo accusation; he .poke of his instruction from the Board of Health. I Dr. Turnbull thought the complaint need not have been made to the Government. A meeting should have been held in the matter. The question now was-Where should the inquiry be held, and when. . Mr Hawkea suggested the Hospital as a place affording easy access to books, and also hospital officers, in which the Mayor of Christchuroh concurred. . . ~ Dr. Skoe replied that the Arawata would brinz him further communication from the Under Secretary in the matter on Thursday. He would suggest Friday, at 10 a.m. In reply to a question, Mr Gamck proposed to take Mrs Keetley's case, and to begin by examining Dr. Davies. Dr. Nedwill a ß ked if Dr. Skae would be in a position to examine witnesses. Dr Skae replied that the instructions he expected to-morrow would provide for that. In reply to the Mayor of Christchurob, he said he had no objection to counsel being engaged on both sides. He would give every facility to the gentlemen so retained, at the same time he wished it understood the G-o-------vernment would not pay for counsel so employed : the Board must do that. After attention to a few minor details, the meeting terminated