MIDWIFERY TRAINING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIV, Issue 10132, 9 June 1924, Page 4

MIDWIFERY TRAINING

A PROGRESSIVE MOVE,

SUPERINTENDENT'S PROPOSALS.

ADOPTED BY HOSPITAL BOARDS

Another important and forward move was made by the Ashburton Hospital Boardi this morning, when the/' Medical Superintendent's (Dr. H. _S. Bttlcliff) proposals in connection with the training of nurses in midwifery . were adopted. The Medical Superintendent, in the ~; course of his report, said he considered! it would be greatly to the advantage of the public, of private practitioners,; and the nursing staff, if the hospital's course of nursing training could be so arranged as to provide instruction,' not only in m< v dicine and surgery, as a.% present, but in midwifery. ' During the past year 117 cases were treated at the Malvern" Maternity Home (apart from those at Eakaiai and Methven), sufficient, with a suitable scheme, for the training of at least four nurses in midwifery. Suohj being the case, he suggested that the hospital on the completion _ of their three years' general nursing training and after passing their State examination, be given an opportunity of acquiring a certificate at the Boards Maternity Home. The advantages of such a scheme, stated Dr. Billcliff, were obvious: (1) It afforded the nurses an opportunity of a complete training in medicine, surgery, and midwifery; (2) It would further increase-. the efficiency of the Home; (3) It would: increase the l number of nurses in the ( County trained in .maternity work and'

available to the public, and l it was reasonable to' assume that a nurse trained in medicine, surgery, and lobstetrics wasa greater public'.asset than one in obstetrics . alone; (4) During theirtraining- these nurses would be available for confinements in poorer houses, where the services of a qualified nurse could not be obtained ; (5) By relieving the present staff at Malvern Home, it would provide opportunity for the* establishment of an ante-natal clinic. The Board decided to take the necessary steps to give effect to the proposals. . ;