Furniss v Fitchett [1958] NZLR 396

The case involved a Mr and Mrs Furniss, whose marriage was experiencing difficulties and was extremely strained, and both were patients of Dr Fitchett. Mr Furniss requested the doctor to provide him with a letter detailing his wife’s psychiatric problems, and the doctor therefore wrote a letter stating that she ‘was deluded that her husband is doping her; accuses her husband of cruelty and even occasional violence; and considers her husband to be insane and states that it is a family failing’. He therefore concluded that, in his medical opinion, the wife ‘exhibits symptoms of paranoia and should be given treatment for same if possible. An examination by a psychiatrist would be needed to fully diagnose her case and her requirements.’