Dr. Harold Berry's Part

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 130, 18 June 1937, Page 6

Dr. Harold Berry's Part

BATH TREATMENT Why Sister Did Not Previously Tell He Knew Of It "I WAS NOT ASKED" I was not asked to," was the reply of the ward sister to a question why she had not previously referred to Dr. Harold Berry's having knowledge of the hot-bath treatment when the inquiry into Shrimpton Ward outbreak resumed to-day before the Royal Commission investigating Napier Public Hospital affairs. The sister strenuously denied that she had discussed the treatment with Dr. Harold Berry in her offlce in the presence of a third person. When recalleJ, the sister of the ward stated that she discussed the treatment with Dr. Harold Berry on two or three occasions at the request of Dr. Allan Berry, The treatment was being given with her knowledge and with that of both Drs. Allan and Harold Berry. Mr. Foden: I suggest that they were giving the treatment in the form of an experiment. Witness: I would not say that. In reply to a further question by Mr. Foden, witness explained that she discussed the treatment with Dr. Harold Berry while off duty. Mr. Grant: This is the first time t^at you have mentioned Dr. Harold Berry in regard to the treatment. Why did you not mention it at the inquiry at the hospital? Witness: I was not asked to. Because nobody knew anything about it to be able to ask you? — "That is so." • What information did you get from Dr. Harold Berry? — "About the body and bath' temperatures." So that on Dr. Harold Berry 's advice yeu raised the temperature of the bath? — "Following the advice of Dr. Allan Berry." Dr. Harold Berry, not . being an honorary, had no right to come into the ward and see the children $— "He aid not see thein." You knew that and made an appointment to see him? — "I saw him by accident when visiting his wife, who was a patient in the hospital." • The chairman: Each time by accidehtf AVitness: Yes. Mr. Foden: You djscussed it in your office with Dr. Harold Berry in the presence of a third person? AVitness: No. If I produce that person, will you say that? — "I still swear it." Mr. Lawry: At any time did Dr. Harold Berry see the children under treatment? AVitness: No he didn't. The chairman: You were anxious to meet him to comply with. Dr. Allan Beny's request for you to see *him about the treatment? Witness: Yesl If you did not meet liini in the ward, how would have have met him?-— "I kncvv that I woiild meet him in the ward." . At this stage the sessio'n was adjourned for'luuch. AYhen the commission resumed this afternoon Dr. J. Allan Berry entered the witness-box in connection with that section of the- inquiry relative to the outbreak of an infeetious disease in Shrimpton Ward and the treatment of the patients. 6