Dr. Berry's Motions

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 73, 13 April 1937, Page 6

Dr. Berry's Motions

NOT IN OPEN BOARD Napier Members Oppose Discussion in Committee MOVER'S 0PP0SITI0N Holding that any divulgence of evidence tendered at the recent inauirv at the Napier Public Hospital

2 would he a breach of confidence, ^ the 4 Hawke's Bay Hospital Board Y insisted yesterday afternoon that the consideration of three motions t hy Dr. J. Allan Berry, of which he t had previously given notice to j move, he discussed in committee. These motions had a hearing on the suspension and subsequent resignation of the sister in charge of the children's ward, the failuxe of the 7 evidence taken at a special hoard 5 inquiry to establish that Dr. Berry ordered treatment to another 7 doctor's patients during an in- ) fectious disease last year and the i clrculating of all documentary eviI dence relating to the inquiry to ; hoard inemhers. r I Only one motion was passed — that - which asked for the circulation of docu5 mentary evidence among board ' members. ' The wording of the three motions 1 was as follows: — (1) "That all the circumstances eurrounding the demand for the resignation, the suspension and rein1 statement of the sister of Shrimpton Ward be made public." (2) "That the board record that* tbe evidence of the Shrimpton Ward inquiry as circulated to members does not establish that Dr. Berry ordered treatment for any'of the patients of Dr. Whyte, or of any other doctor, but on the contrary such evidence is lo the effect that Dr. Berry gave no such orders." (3) "That all documents, including letters and reports, having any bear iug on the Shrimpton Ward inquiry be circulated to board members." A diseussion arose immediatoly after the board reached the notices of motion on the agenda paper. The chairman, Mr O. Lassen, said he doubtod whether he was justiiied in aecepting the first uotice of motion, relating to the suspension and reinstatement of tlie sister of Shrimpton Ward, beeause it referred to a question which had hitherto been dealt with in committee. All Evidence Seen. So far as the third notice of lhotion was concerned, "regardiiig members being circulated wirn documentary evidence, Mr Lassen thought that board inembers had seen all the evidence, with the exeeption of a report by l)r. P. JLynch (pathologist at the \vellington Hospital) regarding a child who died. "I move that all these motions be taken in committee," added Mr Lassen. At this stage Mr C. 0. Morse laughed ioudly. "Mr Morse laughs," commented Mr I.assen. "He knows that at the inquiry he said that the sister of Shrimpton Ward should give her evidence freely, without fear of publicity. Does he think that our proiuise to the sisters that their evidence would be takeu in committee should be broken?" Dr. Berry: The first notice of motion is apart altogether from the Shrimpton Ward inquiry. Mr Lassen: Well, what you are referring to was taken in committee. Dr. Berry; Xou're taking this course not beeause these things were taken in committee, but beeause tbey concern ' myself . Mr J. B. Campbell: I second the motiott A member of tbe public Tou re all frightened! By you are ! "Now tliat we bave liad'so much publicity, why are we afraid of dealing with this matter," asked Mr Morse. "If we give publicity to the other rnattei: why can't we do tlie same with this. I agreo that we on the committee gave an understanding that the proceedings would be strictly in committee. We gavo those promiscs 011 tbe understanding tbat matters would not be divulged. i see no reason why we should not go ahcad with these motions, and at tho same time see that nothing is clivulgcd which should not be." ' Mr Lassen: You know what hnppened last time. Dr Berry: Tbere is not a word suggesting tliat anytbing should be divulged tbat should not be. I say that you bave no right to demand anyone' s resignation. The second motion couccrns my reputation, and 1 liold that I bave avery right to bring it forward in open board. In niy tliird motion 110 breach of confidence is invoived. Are you laking the three motions in committee? 3ir Lassen: Yes. Motion Carried "I ani anxious to get on with the business . of the meeting — caring for the sick and needy," remarked Mr Morse. "We all are," added Mr CanipbeJI. On beiug put to tbe meeting, tlie motion was carried. Dr Berry and ' Messrs Morse and Bedford vot«»d i against it, l)r Berry particularly askI ing that his dissenting vote,be record•ed in tlie minutes. 1 Mr Lassen tlien announced tliat the board was in committee, and suggested 1 that the Press might retire. On the recommendation of Mr Morse, however, it was deoidod to dofer the diseussion in committee unt.il after tlie other business of tlie meeting had been considered. Tlie board t'ben proeeeded with its ordinary business and discus- ■ sed the thre& motions after tlie Press bsd retil'ed later in the afternoon.