PHYLLIS PORTER ENQUIRY

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1923, Page 1

PHYLLIS PORTER ENQUIRY

HOSPITAL BOARD’S FINDING

AVELLINGTOX, Afay 18. This morning the Hospital Board met to consider the evidence given in the recent public enquiry regarding the death of Aliss Phyllis Porter, who died from burns received at the Grand Opera House. Air Castle presided. Some discussion took place as to whether the Board’s findings should he arrived at in open meeting, and it was ultimately decided, by nine to six, to go into committee. Tlie findings of tlie

Board were as follows: (1) That the attendant house surgeon erred in sending the patient to the children's hospital without making more definite enquiries concerning tlie

condition and age of the patient, although it is clear he had been misled in being informed that the patient was a child. (2) —That he erred in allowing so much time to c-lapse before lie made a proper examination of the patient, and should have advised Ward 2 to be prepared. (3) —That the position of Dr Baird.

(junior medical officer) on the hospital staff, he dealt with at the meeting of the Board next Thursday, 2Jth. inst.

(1) —That the evidence of Dr AA’ilsnii. Medical Superintendent, showed that the extent of the burns was so serious that recovery was hopeless from the outset.

In seconding the chairman’s motion, that the findings he adopted, Air O. H. Chapman said that while certain errors of judgment lmd undoubtedly boon committed, very unfavourable circumstances contributed to those errors. There was serious congestion at the hospital, and when tlie new administrative block was completed there was -every likelihood that accident cases would get quick attention. AA'hen Aliss Porter was taken to the hospital, there was no lied available and, unfortunate ns the circumstances had been, it should impress oil the Board tlie need for expediting the erection of the new administrative block.

Exception was taken by Air J. AA . Butler to Die statement that no bed was available. It had been pointed out that, even under tlie congested conditions, a bed could be prepared in a few minutes It was very satisfactory to know that the nurses and porters bad conic out of the enquiry satisfactorily, and nothing was left undone by them in attending to the patient. Air AA r . Appleton associated himself with the views expressed by Air Chapman in regard to the congestion at the hospital. People ought to understand that the doctor was not altogether to blame. , All- Castle said there was no could that the absence of a bed contributed to the dclav. but the important point was that the facilities for examining the patient were available. An examination should have been made earlier, either in the examination room or on the stretcher. The doctor had elected to make an examination in bod. . . , The chairman, in summarising tlie evidence, said it justified the following conclusions lining come to:—(D I he patient nrirvod at the front door hetween 8.2.1 and 8.30 p.m. (2) Dr Baird attempted to feel her pulse at about 8.30. (3) The first dose of morphia was Injected between 8,10 and 8,15 p.m. junto 20 minutes after arrival. (-1) I'"’ patient was placed in tied at about 8.50 to 8.55 p.m.. ten minutes alter the injection of morphia, and *25 to 30 minutes after her arrival at the front door. (5) Dr Baird examined the patient in lied, not more than five minutes below- !) p.m. It was clear the initial error was made in sending an adult patient l i the children's hospital. This led up to a series of circumstances which ue-ccs-nrilv absorbed a considerable time before the patient was placed in bed. The time taken up in transferring the salient from one part to another, in telephoning messages and awaiting directions. in preparation of tlie morphia injection and in preparation of a. bed. was not unreasonable. I here was no suggestion that: Die nurses or porters concerned showed any want of atlenOn the contrary, they acted with i ommendable alertness and judgment. ! tlniera! agreement with the views in j

!„. chairman’s .summary was expressed iv the Board, which adopted the hnd-

TheAlcdic.il Superintendent, Dr AA dsnn. stated lie would prepare a report f ol . the Beard, dealing geneially with On* system of admitting patients to I Inhospital.