FOR WOMEN DECISION WANTED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 213, 8 September 1944, Page 2

FOR WOMEN DECISION WANTED

OBSTETRICS HOSPITAL WOMEN MEET AT TOWN HALL With the object of hastening on the project for a post-graduate training school for the study of obstetrics and gynaecology in Auckland, a meeting of women, representative of the women's organisations in the city, was presided over by the Mayoress, Mrs. J. A. C. Allum, in the council chambers of the Town Hall this morning. , , _ Mrs. Allum reminded the gathering that in November last representations were made to the Minister of Health, Mr. Nordmeyer, for the establishment of this post-graduate training school in Auckland. However, several months had now gone by and nothing appeared to have been done. "It is essential," said Mrs. Allum, "that some steps be taken to bring the matter to the urgent notice of the Government with a view to a favourable decision to proceed being reached at an early date. Because of ' this lack of decision, the opportunity of providing a fund in Auckland which will ensure the endowment of a chair of obstetrics is likely to be lost to Auckland and to New Zeala jdrs Allum referred to the work of Dr. Doris Gordon, honorary secretary of the New Zealand Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society, in regard to the proposals for an obstetrical hospital. Women in Wellington, she said, were equally concerned to make a hospital in Auckland recognised as an all-in women's concern, much in the same way as the under-graduate teaching chair of midwifery was endowed in Otago in 1930. Dr. Gordon had addressed a meeting of women in Wanganui this week, and the meeting resolved to urge the establishment of an obstetrical hospital in Auckland . . _ Mrs. Allum then introduced Dr. G. J. S. Fisher, president of the Auckland branch of the Obstetrical and Gvnaecological Society, who told the meeting what had transpired since last November. Dr. Fisher emphasised the necessity of a post-graduate training school, with resident physicians and the opportunity for short residential courses of three months for young doctors. For older and more experienced doctors a short freshening-up course was required. He pointed out that ante-natal clinics should be held at such a hospital. Other requirements were a well equipped laboratory, X-ray facilities and nurseries for premature babies. New methods in analgesia and anaesthesia would also be studied. The following resolution was passed: "That this meeting of representatives of women's organisations in Auckland, believing that the time is long past when further delay should be tolerated, again desires to bring to the attention of the Government the urgent necessity for the erection of a modern well-equipped obstetrical and gynaecological hospital and training school of Auckland, capable of post-graduate work, and asks that an early decision be reached on the facts which were placed before the Hon. Minister of Health in Auckland on November 1 last."