DELAY WAS UNDUE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 157, 21 July 1937, Page 6

DELAY WAS UNDUE

But Had No Infiuence on Death of Boy HOSPITAL ADMISSION "The evidence satisfies us that there was undue delay in the admission of this patient, but that delay had no infiuence on the ultimate death, which - was inevitable. Such delay may in rare instances occur in any hospital unless necessary safeguards are provided." This is the finding of the Royal Commission, which inquired into the administration of the Napier Hospital after investigating the circumstances surrounding the " admission to the hospital o'n April 29, 1937, and the treatment thereafter, of the son of Mr F. W. Berry, of Puketapu. : "We recommend as an alternative method to that followed that the senior nurse in the reception department should have power to take aetion if the medical officer is not readily available," says. the commission's report. ''She should in such exceptional cases have power to send the patient to bed in' a reception or examination room. "The medical evidence is unanimous, as regards, the treatment of ' this unfortunate boy, that he received all necessary treatment after his admission, and that such treatment could not have been- improved."