asked the Minister for Defence whether any courts of inquiry have been established during the last three years to inquire into the deaths, or treatment, of patients in military hospitals; and, if so, how were these courts constituted, what were their reports, and what action he took in connection with them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Patients in Military Hospitals.
During the past three years, two courts of inquiry were held to investigate the treatment and deaths of patients in military hospitals. The courts were composed in the one case of five senior Army officers, and in the other, of two senior Army officers and one junior. In regard to the findings of these courts, and the action taken in connection with them, the findings of military, courts of inquiry are confidential documents which it would be contrary to public policy to disclose.
asked the Minister for Defence whether there is any night matron in the military hospitals; and, if not, whether he will consider appointing night matrons in order to provide adequate supervision when the matron in charge is off duty.
The system of supervision in military hospitals does not provide for the employment of a night matron. Night attendance and supervision are controlled by an orderly medical officer resident in the hospital, who is assisted and has under his command:—(a) nursing sisters on night duty; and (b) trained medical orderlies with, as wardmaster, a noncommissioned officer in charge.
In the circumstances, effective supervision would appear adequate and, consequently, the question of the making of an appointment of night matron does not arise. In addition to the foregoing supervisory arrangements, the officer commanding a military hospital makes night visits, in the discharge of his command, at irregular intervals, and the matron in charge of hospitals, nursing staff resides in quarters convenient to the hospital.
Question No. 22 not asked.