HOSPITAL EXPLAINS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 428, 9 August 1928, Page 11

HOSPITAL EXPLAINS

INJURED CARTER’S DEATH “DEMANDED TO GO HOME” Press Association. WELLINGTON, To-day. In reply to Mr. Justice Sim’s remarks in connection with hospital doctors, arising out of injuries received by a carter when his express was struck by a tram, the hospital authorities state the man was admitted against his wish, and was seen by the ward doctor. He complained of no pain, and demanded to go home. An examination revealed nothing to suggest fractured ribs, but as it had beejEfc an accident case the doctor persuaded him to stay the night and be X-rayed in the morning. The man persisted in going home, asserting he felt nothing wrong, and as the X-ray showed no sign of a fracture to the doctor examining it, he was allowed to go. If the hospital is to guard against suggestions of lack of care it would mean anybody reporting to the hospital with a mere scratch would require to be held there against his will, as the merest scratch might result in blood poisoning. The man having left the hospital on his own accord, placed himself under the care of his regular medical practitioner who attended him until his death. The circumstances were investigated at the time of the inquest, and no charge had been made against the hospital. Such anomalies as occurred in this case were not infrequent. If a diagnosis could be made as easily as some people suggest, the practice of surgery and medicine would be much easier than it is. In this ease the X-ray gave a good shadowgraph, and even in view of the post-mortem findings, does not suggest any fracture. MENTION IN PARLIAMENT

HEALTH MINISTER’S REPLY Press Association . WELLINGTON, Wednesday. the circumstances surrounding the death, of Mr. T. G. Needham and the case m the Supreme Court were mentioned in the House of Representatives this afternoon. Mr. P Fraser (Wellington South) asked the Minister of Health, Hon. J A. Young, whether his attention had been drawn to the remarks of Mr. Justice Sim in the Supreme Court with reference to the treatment of the late Mr. Needham at the Wellington Hospital- . He wanted to know whether the Minister would have a thorough investigation made of the facts. The Minister said his information was that Mr. Needham was immediately X-rayed on admission to the hospital on February 2, and no evidence of fracture or of internal injury was disclosed by the examination. The following- day the man had insisted on going home, against the advice of the medical, officer, there being no power to detain him. At the coroner’s inquest the full circumstances were gone into, but the coroner made no comment. That was all the information he could give at present, and if Mr. Fraser was not satisfied he would have further inquiries made.