HUNGRY PATIENTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 101, 20 July 1927, Page 13

HUNGRY PATIENTS

COMPLAINTS AT HAWERA

ALLEGATIONS DENIED <Special to THE SUK. ) HAWERA. To-day. “If we, in a big institution like this, are to take notice of all the tittle tattle in the district we are looking for something to do.” said Mr. T. A. Winks, a member of the Hawera Hospita Board, when discussing a complain-, made that patients had not received sufficient food. The matron reported that she had interviewed every patient in the hospital. and also members of the staff. Not one patient had any complaint to make. Every nurse denied having refused to give patients sufficient bread and butter, providing they were not or special diet. She asked the name o' the patient who made the complaint, also the name of the nurse who refused to give food, so that further inquiries could be made. Dr. Cairney said special diets were often ordered for patients who were not aware of the reasons. He knew a case in which a patient in hospital for two days was receiving “baring meal,” which necessitates the curtailment of other foods for at least If hours for X-ray purposes. Upon being discharged the patient had said she had been absolutely starved for days. “I would suggest.” said the doctor, “that patients be encouraged to speak up at the time of discharge ” As no definite charge was made the matter dropped.