HOSPITAL RULES.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1324, 3 July 1883, Page 2

HOSPITAL RULES.

[to Ttti iditob.J Sir, —Be good enough to give publicity in • your column* to the following statement t— Yesterday (Monday) morning a relative of mine (Mr rater Cooper) was taken to the Poverty Bay Hospital, suffering from a com* pound fracture of the right log. When left there, he expressed a desire that I should go up and see him, and take up some comfort* with mo. Accordingly in the afternoon t procured the articles required and wont up to the Hospital, naturally expecting to be admitted to Mr Cooper's beaside without hesitation or delay. The wardsman, Mr Chrisp, answered my ring of the bell, and oft my telling him the purport of my visit ho informed me that he could not admit mo, ae it was contrary to the rules of the Hospital. I pointed out to hitn that I was not a town resident, but living many mile* from Gis* borne, and that it was imperative 1 should nee Mr Cooper, in order to ascertain what he wanted, and to give him the necessaries I had brought. To this Mr Chrisp rejoined that he was very sorry, but he could not admit me, as the regulations of the Conimit* tee were direct to the contrary; and with that he bade me good afternoon and w»*nt abcut his duties. Now, Sir, I should like to ask whether the Committee have really been xtupid enough to make a hard and fast rule of this kind in a small place liae Gisborne? It may be necessary in hospitals suoh as Guy’s and institutions of a like magnitude, but in a place like Gisborne, to refuse ad* mittance to friends of patients simply because it is not “ visiting day " is ae silly and stiffstarched a proceeding as it is vexatious and unnecessary. If report speaks truly, some of the Committee do very well out of this institution, so they ought to take a little 1 trouble in framing regulations to meet the convenience of the outside public as well as their own. For the future, or until some better regulations are framed for the management, and all “farming” put a atop to in regard to this institution, I will nev.ir aid its fund* either diacctly or indirectly, and I can say for certain that many of my friend* and relations are with me in this resolve. Country people are entitled to consideration of their time equally with the Committee or the convenience of the institution, and considering the facta of the case I have now laid before you, I think that the regulation* affecting “visiting days” should be done away with, and only one day in the week re* served for cleaning, Ac., and then there should be a discretionary power as regards admittance at all times vested in the person, wardaman or other, left in charge of the Hospital. In conclusion, I would bag some of your readeis to see to this at ihe annual meeting on Wednesday. I shall not be In town my* self, but I feel sure some one will take up the question.—Your obedient servant, John Brown. Waihora Station, Poverty Bay.