FOR THE BABIES

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 47, 24 August 1917, Page 9

FOR THE BABIES

HOSPITAL BOARD INTERESTED

"That pre.maternity and infant-nurs-ing work be taken up by the board, and that a suitable nurses or nurses be appointed to visit houses and adyise where necessary in matters of hygiene

and infant-feeding."

•This was the text of a motion brought before the Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board yesterday by Mr. F. Castle.

Speaking to the motion, Mr. Castle said he knew of the excellent work done by the Phinket nurses, ami he thought a nurse trained in those methods might be very profitably employed. Wellington, ho said, stood more unfavourably than other centres in regard to infantile mortality; the average mortality over 10 years among infants under one year being per 1000: Wellington, 76.8;; Auckland, 70.9; Christchurch, 70.7; Dunedin, 63.3. Dunedin was the centre of the Plunkot work. A nurse trained in Plunket methods could be used in connection with many cases which came before the Charitable Aid Board. They had a nurse from- the Children's, Hospital trained at Karitane Hospital, but she had gone to the war. They should have a special infant ward in the Children's Hospital with the ultimate view of making it a training institution for infant nursing. Dunedin had now reached about the limit of the number that could be trained. The need was 'greater now than ever. Out of about 2000 babies bom in Wellington, 763 were last year treated by the three Plunket nurses, _13 visits at the homes or the rooms being paid against an average of 23 visits in Dunedin. The Rev. H. Van Staveren seconded.^ the motion and thought they should have two nurse 3if they could possibly obtain them. The Chairman: Why not support tht> PJunket Society ? Wo could' not do better with our funds. Mrs. M'Vicar commended Mr. Castle's motives, but thought that the best course would be to work ;in unison with the Plunket Society instead of starting a separate effort. Pre-natal advice was now given at St. Helen's Hospital. She quite approved of sending the nurses to Karitanc Hospital. That would' probably be going on now but for the war. Site suggested that nurses should be trained in Wellington Hospital in obstetrics seas to have all their training under one roof. Mrs. Noill also commended the work of the Plunket Society and St. Helen's Hospital. She did not think it would be wise at present to commence training in maternity work which was undertaken at St. Helens. Mr. J. Smith supgoistsd that the bett method would be to make a eoafcrjLbu, J

tion to enable the Plunket Society to have an extra nurse, if necessary. After further discussion, Mr. Castle accepted an amendment by Mr. W. •>• Thompson, that the matter be referred to the Finance Committee to wing down a Teport with a view to subsidising the Plunket Society. ■ ■ •