HOSPITALS INSPECTION

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 19, 15 October 1937, Page 9

HOSPITALS INSPECTION

I'ress Aascciation.5

Approval at Dannevirke check on surgical work

(By Telekratn-

DANNEVIRKE, October 14. Satisfaction that the Department of Health was iustituting a check-up on surgical work in the public hospitals of the Dominion was expressed at the tnonthly meeting of the Dannevirke " Hospital Board to-day. The Director-General of Health, Dr H. H. Watt, advised that arrangements iiad been completed with the New Zealand branch of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons for selected members to examine and report on surgical work done in the public hospitals of the Dominion. Members of the college appointed for the work would be appointed assistant inspcctors of hospitals. The department asked that the medical superintendent should fill in a special form to be forwarded to the inspectors visiting the hospital, and that the board would ensure the inspectora every assistance and facility to complete their inspection. "I think it is one of the greatest steps that has ever been taken by the j Health Department," said Ihe chair- ( man (Mr L. Stein). "There has xis'. er Ln the past been any check-up of surgical work in the" hospitals of the Dominion. As far as the Dannevirke Hospital is concerned, we have been very fortunate in that the work has always proceeded smoothly and very satisfactorily indeed. At the same time, a check-up of this sort is very desirable and will be of assistance to both hospital boards and medical men. " ^ One of the serious weaknesses that had been revealed at the Napier Hospital inquiry was that where a doctor gave sisters or nurses instructions there was no definite record in writing, said Mr E. Harding^ If they had that weakness at Dannevirke, it was the board 's duty to eradicate it. There was no such weakness at Dannevirke, said Mr Stein. The routine was that when a doctor ordered treatment of any description this was entered up each day by the sister in charge of the ward iu her report. That report was given to tho matron each nighfy checkpd and returned to the sister when shc resumed duty the next day. Mr C. A. Sutton: Is the report signed By any person in authority? Mr Harding: I did not mention the question out of collusion of our medical itaff. My intention was that if we had the weakness we should get rid of it. Mr Stein: There are no weaknesses jn the medical side of this hospital. On the motion of Mr Stein it was iecided to write to the. Health Department expressing appreciation of the scheme and full concurrence of the board with the proposals. ft