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How many cases have occurred the transfer of which might have prolonged or saved life, and how many cases are there which by having been left in the Tung Wa Hospital were a source of danger to the surroundings?
Dr. Ho KAI-I think we might take it as Dr. ATKINSON's opinion that in nine- tenths of the surgical cases it would be better to transfer. In 99 cases out of 100 we admit, the transfer of these patients from the Tung Wa Hospital would give them a much better chance of recovery.
Mr. CHATER-We might have it from Dr. ATKINSON as his opinion.
The President--Do you consider that nine-tenths of the surgical cases admitted to the Tung Wa Hospital would have been more successfully treated if removed to the Civil Hospital?—Yes, many of them lose their lives by not being removed. They lose their lives by being treated in the Tung Wa Hospital. I will give a statement of all surgical cases treated in the Tung Wa during the last nine months. I cannot give the result in every case, because I do not see the patients when they are discharged.
Mr. CHATER-I think we left off rather abruptly at one point where Dr. ATKINSON said he had applied to the Governor for the transfer of certain people suffering from wounds from the Tung Wa Hospital to the Civil Hospital, and where he said he applied for an order and got a telephonic reply from Government House, but before he could carry out the transfer he received a lawyer's letter. I should like to know, after getting the lawyer's letter, what action he took ?-I reported the matter to the Colonial Secretary and was instructed not to transfer the case. Since then I have reported severe
surgical cases to the Governor, but have received no reply.
THE PRESIDENT-The Governor has no legal power to order the removal of these patients under the Ordinance—nor has he any power to compel a man to go to any Hospital if he does not wish to go of his own accord.
Mr. CHATER-And in all these cases the patients refused themselves to be transfer- red, and it was not the Committee who refused to let them?—The patients all refused to go.
Dr. Ho KAI-In all those cases where you got the Governor's orders did the patients refuse to transfer?--Yes. I would not have reported the cases to the Governor unless the patients had objected.
Mr. THOMSON-The law of no country gives power to remove a man to hospital against his will.
Mr. WHITEHEAD-What is the answer to the question now? Did they refuse ?— They must have objected otherwise I would not have written applying for the order of the Governor.
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Mr. CHATER-Where there were cases of a similar nature and the patient did not object you have removed without the Governor's authority ?-Yes. The only reason why I wrote was because I wanted to know what should be done with severe surgical cases the treatment of which I saw was endangering the patient's life or chance of making a good recovery and the patient objected to be transferred.
THE PRESIDENT It was after that you received the lawyer's letter ?—Yes; and no more surgical cases were transferred after this unless the patients themselves were willing.
Mr. CHATER-Have you since removed cases of people who are doing well and who were willing to be removed?—Yes. There are not more than a dozen, but I can give you the exact numbers. I will give the results of all surgical cases so far as they are known to me.