PATIENT’S ADMISSION

Hokitika Guardian, 20 December 1929, Page 2

PATIENT’S ADMISSION

SHOULD DOCTOR INFORM FOLIC K? DUNEDIN;- Dee. 16. The inquest was concluded to-day on a girl who died three days after admission to tlm Dunedin Hospital from septicaemia, following an illegal operation. The evidence showed that

die girl was admitted to hospital on November 16, and died on November 19, the police not being informed till after her death. Dr vSearle, house surgeon, stated that the girl admitted that an illegal operation had been performed. The girl’s admission was made in con lid - ■ once, so witness did not feel called on to notify the police immediately. In answer to the Coroner (Mr Bartholomew), witness said he did not think the fact that he was an officer in a public institution made any difference as regards informing the police. The Coroner returned a verdict of death from infection following an illegal operation by persons unknown. He stated that a serious question arose, and it seemed to him that the case of a public institution and that of a private' practioner were not analogous. In a. case of this sort public medical officers were- not justified in dealing with a patient as would a private practioner. Had the police had a chance to interview the patient, valuable evidence might have been given, whereas the matter bad come to a dead-end ■’because, it was quite stale when the police were informed. He thought the authorities should give serious consideration to the position, for he thought the opinion he expressed was perfectly sound from the public and also the public hospital aspect.