HOSPITAL INQUIRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2804, 30 October 1924, Page 2

HOSPITAL INQUIRY.

BRYCE CASE OPENS. Yestetday saw the opening of Ike Commission of Inquiry into what lias come to be known as the “Bryce Case,” when the Commissioner, Mr E. Page, S.M., sat at the Palmerston N. Courthouse for the purpose of inquiring into the treatment accorded Miss .Jessie Bryce in connection with her admission to the Palmerston AT. Hospital in -June, 1023. AIATTEKS FOR INQUIRY. The order of reference for the inquiry wa« to investigate and report upon:— (a) The circumstances surrounding the admission to the Palmerston X. Public Hospital on June 9, 1923, treatment whilst in hospital and the discharge from the hospital on June 12, 1923, of Aliss Jessie Bryce, of Kiwitea, spinster, daughter of Air John Joseph Bryce, of Kiwitea farmer. (If) The action of Dr. E. C. Barnett, of Palmerston N.. a member of the honorary medical start - on the Palmerston X. Hospital Board, relative to the admission, treatment whilst in hospital, and discharge of the said Jessie Bryce. (c) Generally as to the practice and powers of tlie honorary medical staff of the Palmerston X. Hos pitul Board relative to the admission treatment and discharge of patients. I (.1) Oeneraliv ns to rite discrimination of the honorary medical stall t .f the Palmerston X. Hospital Board in the matter of admission' of patients to the Palmerston N. Public Hospital. I (o) Generally as to the practice j and powers of the medical superintendent of ihc Palmerston N. Public Hospital and his start' relative to the admission, treatment and discharge j <.| patients. if) G. ru rally its t" the action of j ihe Palmerston X. Hospital Board j relating to an application made by Mr\.l. J. Bryce, for a public inquiry bv the Board into the whole circumstances surrounding 'ihc case of his daughter Aliss Jessie Bryce. Air .1. P. Tunes represented the, Palmerston X. Hospital Board, Air ( . E. Taylor \ Feifiling) appeared f.,r Air Bryce, Air IT. R. Cooper for Dr. E. Barnett and the honorare start of the Palmerston X. Hospital ami Afr L. A. Elliott for the Kiwitea Coimtv Council.

Evidence was given by the Bryce family, the late Board secretary, (Mr Fraser) and Air James At evens, cousin of Airs Bryce. The point of the whole trouble is whether patients who are able to pav for private treatment should expect the free services of a member of the honorary medical start. Allot Iter point was whether a member of the honorary start can refuse to operate on a galient. if necessary, when once admitted and that Aliss Brvce was not discharged from the hospital but was taken away by her mother. The case for ihc hospital will lie opened to-day.