HOSPITAL ENQUIRY

Hokitika Guardian, 31 July 1928, Page 4

HOSPITAL ENQUIRY

r THE MATRON’S EVIDENCE, f (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) l . CHRISTCHURCH, July 30. At the inquiry as to the nurse’s r death, in opening the case for the , Matron, in the afternoon, Mr Hunter , said that attempts had been made to i injure the Matron, who was the kincls est woman in the world. Every eon- > sideration was shown, he declared, to " tho nurses who were sick, and Nurse , Jones’s ease had been no exception. • Actually nothing could have ' been done to save the girl’s life. She died ! of galloping consumption, probably ! having .had tubercular infection in childhood. Miss Muir, the Matron, gave evi- ■ donee of Nurse Jones having come to her complaining of not feeling well, and of having given her an opportunity to go home for a rest, and of having advised her, if not improved, to come back to tho hospital for further medical examination. Dr Foxhad told her that there was no clinical evidence of tnbercule in Nurse Jones’s chest, but lier trouble might have become tubercular. When Nurse Jones reported sick, tbe Matron advised her to remain as a patient but Nurse Jones implored her to bo allowed to I go home. Witness said: “In tbe I course of trying to make tbe child I feel a little better, I said she was a naughty girl, and needed spanking.” Tt is a remark I have often used, and I am exceedingly sad to hear that it has hurt her. On July 4th, Mrs Jones telephoned witness, saying that she was worried about her daughter, who was looking very ill. Witness replied to Mrs Jones to bring the girl in f»r treatment. The girl was brought in | that evening. “I was shocked at her I appearance,” said witness. “She was an ill girl. I reported immediately to Dr Dilvidson, who examined her that evening. Next day I fang Mr Jones and asked him to call and see Dr Davidson, because her condition Was very serious. Each day she became worse. (She died on July 19th.”

Dr Fox, Medical Superintendent, said that when lie first examined fturse Jones, on June 4th, there was no evidence of phmonary infection, though the examination made was thorough. This was a peculiarity of the form of tuberculosis from which the girl died. Nothing could have saved her life. Referring to the hospital’ administration ’witness said that it was inconceivable that nurses were required to work while ill. There was a staff large enough to allow the

nurses reporting sick to go off duty. A protest from the hospital nursing staff concerning the allegations made against the Matron was read. The statement derlnred tbe charge made against tiro matron was grossly untrue, and the nurses wished to express the strongest indignation. The inquiry was adjourned.