ALLEGED NEGLECT

Hokitika Guardian, 20 March 1925, Page 1

ALLEGED NEGLECT

COMPLAINT AGAINST HOSPITAL AUTHORITIES. TIMARU, March 18. A discussion took place at the South Canterbury Hospital Board’s meeting to-day with regard to a statement which had been made by Air and Airs H. Patrick, of Orari, through Mr T. 0. Farnie. solicitor, with regard to the death of their son, aged 22, who, while suffering from infantile paralysis, had been by order of Dr Telford, .Medical Officer of Health for Canterbury, removed from his home to the Tiinaru Hospital, a distance of 20 miles, where ho died the same evening. It was alleged that the journey, which occupied from -I.do p.m. to 8 p.m., and was made in a horse-drawn ambulance, had prejudiced the condition of the patient, whereas isolation would have sufficed. It-was stated that no nurse had been sent with the ambulance, and that the hospital authorities were guilty of neglect in not sending a nurse; that a motor ambulance should have been sent instead of a horse ambulance, “ with almost derelict horses in charge of an aged and incompetent driver.” that look nearly five hours for a journey of 20 miles, thus causing unnecessary and fatal delay. in reply to these allegations, the chairman of the Board (the ltov T. W. Potts) had stated that immediately advice regarding the patient was received at the hospital, the Afedical Superintendent had had a telephone message sent to the stables for the dispatch of the ambulance. The motor ambulance was not available for infectious cases, owing to the grave danger of infection to other patients. The present complaint was the lirst one received by the Hoard. That there had been considerable delay in gating the patient, to the hospital could not, unfortunately, be denied, and while .it was regrettable that his journey to hospital could not have been more comfortable and speedy, it must he pointed out that he died of paralysis of the muscles of respiration, a. condition whieh could not have been contributed to by the circumstances complained of. although the popular mind would naturally think otherwise. The question of a more up-to-date means of conveyance had already been considered by the Board, and another moLor ambulance had been purchased. The Health Department forwarded for consideration of the Board copies of the correspondence with regard In the matter, together with a. copy of a letter written by Dr Telford to Mr I. C’. Farnie. Dr Telford wrote as follows :

“ |)r Paterson, of Geraldine, rang me up at Orari, as stated notifying me that the deceased was suffering 'from infantile paralysis. ’I he telephone at. this time was working particularly hadlv. Dr Paterson did not state, as represented, that there, was any undue risk to the patient whom I desired removed to the Tiinaru Hospital in view of there being younger children present in the family, nor yet again on the second occasion when Dr Paterson rang me did lie enter any protest or indicate that the patient’s condition was so exremely grave as it eventually turned out to he. Again, no objection by telegram was received from the parents of this young limn indicating any objection on their part or his to being shifted. It will he quite evident to you. therefore, that 1 had not any occasion to exercise my statutory powers for removal or make any threat, to exercise same. While sincerely regretting .the death of this young mail. I cannot accept any responsibility of contributing to his death with the facts as given to me by telephone message. Regarding your statement that the patient’s medical attendant preferred that the patient should he kept in his own home and isolated, as he considered that removal lor such a distance would increase the risk of Ihe pallet” Milleniig I rum inlantdr paralysis. I)r Paterson, ol Geraldine, did not convey such preference to me in h.is telephone message, otherwise 1 should have acquiesced in Use same in view of any jeopardy being caused to the patient h.v such removal.” Air 11. It. .Macdonald asked il the medical man ill charge of the case considered the ambulance was not adequate. could he not have refused to allow tho patient to he shilled.

The chairman said lie was not in a position to make a reply, and further slated that .Mr Selwood. the driver of jin' ambulance, had made a good trip that night considering he had a horse vehicle. It laid not been possible to send ii. nurse on a sudden night call, but now tlmt an ambulance was being garaged at tile hospital, it was expected that a nurse would lie sent in future to such cases.