MIDWIFERY TRAINING.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 244, 15 October 1929, Page 8

MIDWIFERY TRAINING.

RESTRICTION TO CENTRES.

A DEBATABLE PROPOSAL.

CONCERN AT WHANGAREI.

(By Telegraph.—-Own Correspondent.) WHANGAREI, this day. Strong exception to the suggestion of Dr. Watt to the executive of the Hospital Boards' Association that midwifery training should be restricted to the four St. Helens hospitals was taken by the Whangarei Hospital Board yesterday. Mr. Mackay said he thought that it was unfair to deny nurses the opportunity of finishing a full course in Whangarei Hospital and to limit those qualifying for midwifery. Mrs. Donaldson said everything possible should be done to retain the midwifery training school at Whangarei, where the standard was such that many outsiders applied for admission. Mr. Jones strongly opposed the proposal, which he described as "a great steal." In view of the report of Dr. Jellett, consulting obstetrician to the Department, after a visit to the Whangarei maternity annexe, the suggestion that such schools should be cut out was ridiculous. The report read: "Training at this hospital is most satisfactory. I should like to think that nurses who benefit by it are subsequently going to practice as midwives, or maternity nurses; otherwise the value to the public of much excellent. teaching is being lost." Mr. Jones said it looked as though the Department wanted to get rid of the school because of its success. Many women trained in Whangarei had brought honour to the district from elsewhere in New Zealand and overseas. Proof that the training was better even than that of St. Helens hospitals was shown in that a Whangarei nurse frequently topped the Dominion examination lists. He took strong exception to the suggestion in Dr. Jellett's report that training was wasted in the case of nurses who gave up their profession to marry, contending that their usefulness in civic life, especially in country districts, was of very great value. The chairman said that the last conference had actually opposed concentration on St. Helens hospitals and'did not anticipate anything definite being done until after the next conference. The medical superintendent wished it to be understood that, even in the event of the school being removed, attention at' the annexe would be the same as at present. Nurses, not patients, would suffer. It. was decided to protest to the executive of the Hospital Boards' Association, as well as to the Minister, enclosing a-.copy of Dr. Jellett's report. After having been for seven years medical officer to the Hikurang'i Medical Club, Dr. H. H. Cheesman forwarded his resignation. The Hospital Board placed his services on record and decided to forward an appreciative letter. A suggestion by a deputation from the newly-formed Kamo Medical Club that the hospital staff, treat out patients similar to the' practice at Huntly was given no encouragement.