Board Upholds Matron

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 420, 31 July 1928, Page 1

Board Upholds Matron

TREATMENT OF NURSE

Inquiry Into Her Death

“SOMETHING WRONG,’’SAYS MRS.McCOMBS

Press Association.

CHRISTCHURCH, To-day. “| SUBMIT that there must be something radically wrong 1 when 60 out of 200 nurses report sick, some of therji two or three times in nine months,” said Mrs. McCombs at the inquiry into the death of Nurse Helen Jones at the Christchurch Hospital recently.

Evidence that there had been some misunderstanding concerning certain remarks made by Miss Muir, matron o( the hospital, was advanced yesterday* It was suggested by Mr. W. J. Hunter, for Miss Muir, that she had meant that the girl deserved a slapping for being out in the country in a private hospital instead of being in the Christchurch institution. She had not meant to suggest that Nurse Jones was “shamming.” Mr. Hunter, continuing, said that the nurse told the matron on June 27 that she could not think of returning and continuing her hard work. The nurse was examined on July 4 by Dr. Davidson. and an X-ray examination made. She died from galloping consumption, and probably had had some tubercular infection in childhood. No one was to blame for her unfortunate death. In the “spanking episode,” attempts had been made to injure the kindly matron. There was a committee to receive complaints from nurses as to their treatment. He was prepared to call several nurses who had been ill during the past nine months, and who had received nothing but kindness. THE MATRON’S EVIDENCE The matron. Miss Muir, said she told Nurse Jones at the time she could not give her a few days off at the moment, but would do so later, if necessary. "Witness subsequently agreed for Nurse Jones to go into the country. Dr. Fox reported that she looked seedy and ■very flat and although there were no clinical signs in her chest, it might develop into tubercular trouble. Witness felt somewhat worried. She rang up Mrs. Jones and advised her accordingly. Witness heard that Nurse Jones was not really fond of nursing work, but she was doing her best. It was not compulsory for any nurse to train who did not wish to do ®°- Nurse Jones had said she liked the medical side of the \\%rk, but could not bear the thought of the surgical and the worries of the theatre training. Witness told the nurse there was Do necessity for her to continue she did not wish, but was told she felt nmch better and would like to return home. When witness next saw the nurse she was shocked at her appearance. An A*ray examination of Nurse Jones’s «iest was made and it was found that jurse Jones’s condition was grave. *urs© Jones became worse and died July 19. STRICT DISCIPLINE * r -. Walter' asked whether the scipdne at the hospital was not too ict. When the matron went into Ward a nd found a nurse resting that rse had immediately to stand up. sain re Ply to Mrs. McCombs witness * uurses had not officially been incei?* that com Plaints would be reby the board’s visiting comThe nurses, however, knew ey were at liberty to complain 10 the committee. sta- t hospital,, said Nurse Jones 8h in the country longer than she ha ve. He had told the girl’s , er Previously that he could find no * nce °f the disease in her chest, doling * eare< * something * grave was 0 , declara tion signed by ISO nurses . protesting against the inmade by Mrs. McCombs the matron was read. Other pjjA® 8 formerly employed at the hofalwo f a Y e evidence that Miss Muir was Wh S k* n ci and sympathetic. m 0 . en the inquiry was resumed this from • Irs - McCombs read a letter an ex ~ n ur«e which had just been i—to her. Before finishing it,

however, Mrs. McCombs asked to withdraw it as she found now it was marked confidential. Addressing the board on behalf of Miss Muir, Mr. Hunter said it was not true that Nurse Jones liked nursing. She told Sister Houston that she disliked the surgical training and dreaded operating theatre work. Her parents did‘not know their daughter’s mind in that respect. There was nothing but most considerate treatment by Miss Muir and the nurses’ examinations by the hospital doctors were not perfunctory. Ti»£y were careful and exact. If, on June 4, examinations by the medical superintendent and his assistant had disclosed nothing, how could Miss Muir be expected to know that Nurse Jones was in for a serious illness? Miss Muir displayed a proper state of mind for the matron of a hospital. She pointed out to Nurse Jones that she need not continue her training if she did not wish to do so. What on earth could be made out of Miss Muir's remark about Nurse Jones getting a spanking, except that it was an innocent, jocular and kindly way of expressing Miss Muir’s point of view in reference to Nurse Jones going home instead of returning to the hospital. Mrs.. McCombs said the board had had facts before it in evidence, and the evidence had been absolutely unshaken by cross-examination. It was now abundantly plain that Nurse Jones was seriousl yill when on more than one occasion, instead of being sent for medical examination, she was told to sit in the sun. When relatives brought the girl to the hospital on June 27 to be medically examined there was no examination, and the girl was scolded and advised to send in her resignation. Although the r/jrse was ill right back in May and had reported sick and asked for sick leave, which was refused, and two days later had fainted, the nurse was never medically examined except at the urgent -request of her parents. Some of the nurses called as witnesses had been ill more than once. At the conclusion of the inquiry the board, with two dissentients, carried a motion expressing the opinion that everything possible was done for Nurse Jones by the medical officers and the matron. The board also expressed its opinion that sympathetic treatment is given to any nurses who report sick.