COMMISSION’S FINDING.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1924, Page 3

COMMISSION’S FINDING.

KELVIN HOSPITAL ENQUIRY. I'llY TELEGRAPH PER PRESS ASSOCMT.ON WELLINGTON. May 21. The report of the special Commission set up to investigate and report upon th(‘ conditions under which puerperal .septicaemia and like diseases arise or are spread, and particularly into the occurrence of maternal deaths at Kelvin hospital, Auckland, last year, was issued yesterday by the Minister. The Commission consisted of Frederick Earl, General Sir D. J. McGavin. Doctor J. S. Elliott and Lady Luke. Ihe I nmmisMon re pm it-- i toiclusions in individual eases and points out certain obligations and shortcomings mi the part of medical men and deprecates the delay of departmental officers in not making earlier inquiry into eases of puerperal septicaemia. At the same time the Commission concurs that Auckland District Health Office is understaffed and overworked, and further urges upon the Department the pollution of various Veguhitions together ■ with recommendations made in the 1921 report, and of the present

Commission siml tlioir •'azottinji as regulations under the statute. Ihe Commission deals lullv with the need of irivinjr every consideration to exportant mothers, and also deals with the feeling which existed in Auckland in connection with the deaths in Hie hospital. Reference is further made to the unlawful use of anaesthetics in the hospital and necessary steps arc recommended to deal with this phase of the inquiry. The Commission is ol opinion that certain costs uf the inquiry should he home l,v the Department.

HON M. ROM ARK'S'COMMENT. WELLINGTON. May 21. ('oiutncnting on the report ol Kelt in 110-l ital Commission. linn. M. Romaic '-ay- the Department of Health has long recognised that New Zealand Inhumed under the stigma of the inordinately high maternal mortality rate and that puerperal sepsis was one ol the principal factors. In some cases notification was delayed or even suppressed by medical men. The evidence was a strong indictment of their action, it ivas most surprising to find the Commission had to some extent glossed over this phase of the matter. Medical officers of health were-omt m possession of the whole facts. Tnlormation that should have been before him Promptly was delayed or with-held. \ s to the Commission’s leuiniks upon the 1 nngour of the Auckland District Department, the Minister said the Go vernment some weeks ago had dee,dot to appoint three additional medical officers, one of whom would be m lackland, making throe tor that trim. IVrhaps the most valuable m.-. commendation of the Commission was that regarding temperature ' ' The public will be interested t«» bear tlmt bis proposal was made by tin Department to tbe Medical A.s-<.ciat.on 'i„ June 192=5. and turned down. Ihe Minister added that the maternal mortality was a most complex matter which was already engagnv the attention of tlu- Department. An , x c -ive campaign has been embarked to improve the conditions but no sys tonl could be adequate without i operation by medical men.