WAS THERE UNDUE DELAY?

Shannon News, 15 May 1923, Page 4

WAS THERE UNDUE DELAY?

INQUIRY INTO MISS PORTER’S CASE. BOARD DEFERS DECISION. WELLINGTON. Last Night. The Hospital Board opened an inquiry to-day regarding the allegations of undue delay in the admission of Miss Phyllis Porter, a member of the Peep Show Company, who died as a result of burns received through her dress catching- lire on the stage of the Opera House. Evidence was given by Miss Barber, Roy Steyne and John Farrell on the lines of that given at the inquest. Mr 'Farrell withdrew his previous statement that the hospital had been telephoned to the effect that the case was on its way to lie institution. Miss Barber said the accident occurred at 8.10 p.m. and the patient was at the hospital about 8.20 or 8.25 Pm. The doctor saw her between 8.55 and 9.10 p.m.

Mr Steyne said that the doctor did not see the patient from the time she arrived until she was taken into the ward. The delay occurred after leaving the children’s ward. Mr Farrell deposed that the doctor came down the corridor as if he had all day. He told the doctor he would complain about the delay - . The doctor said he could complain anywhere he liked. The doctor also said he thought the patient was a child, because one of the porters told him so. It must have been after 9 p.m. when the doctor arrived at the ward. Witness told the doctor afterwards that he was casual and careless over the case. Gordon Gordon, a porter at the hospital, said lie distinctly heard someone say "she’s only a child, and is in great pain.” There was no undue delay. The hospital attendants "went for their lives.”

Antell, another porter, said Mr Farrell referred to the patient as a “poolchild” and a “poor kiddie.” There was a slight delay, at No. 2 ward, but i.ot undue delay.

Dr. Wilson, superintendent, interjected that there must have been some delay, as a bed had to be made up.

Mr Farrell (to witness): I think ;,ou were all astray that night. Witness: Well; there was a lot of rushing about. At was an exceptional night. Mr Farrell: If there was no delay, \vh> - did you say to Miss Barber that the delay was terrible? Witness: 1 was sorry for the girl and there had been so much delay in going to the children's ward.

Peter Turnbull said lie was on telephone duty that night and hom'd Mr Fin-re] refer to the patient as a child. He telephoned tlic doctor that there was an urgent case, and that he believed it to be a child. • Dr. Baird, who was the doctor concerned, said the message he got was that a child had been badly burned. As the patient could speak he knew that she was in no immediate danger and sent her to the children’s ward, but then he was told her age and ordered her to No. 2. This ward could not take her and she was sent to No. 1. He was given tlic first call at 5.20. After treating her lie was returning to liis quarters before 9 o’clock. Sister Gray said the case arrived at N T o. 2 ward between 8.30 and 8.45. No bed was ready, so she went with the case to No. 1. Witness saw the case was urgent and preparing a bed at No. 2 would have meant more delay. Nurse May stated that the case arrived at No. 1 ward just before 8.40 p,m. and from live to ten minutes later the patient was in bed. The Board decided to give its decision in a few days’ time.