ST. HELEN'S HOSPITALS

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14667, 16 May 1913, Page 6

ST. HELEN'S HOSPITALS

Our contemporary, tho "Otago Daily Times," is mistaken in supposing that in criticising tho system of tho St. Helen's Hospitals, we liavo generalised from a single case, that of the Auckland Hospital, the conduct of -which is admitted to liavo left something to be desired. When wo first referred to tho subject last year, there were complaints in tho Wellington papers regarding the administration of that institution. But, in point of fact, our contention is that of attempting to run these institutions by an Inspector-General of Hospitals in Wellington and his assistant, without any local supervision or control, is bound to be unsatisfactory. Another point is that tho institutions provide only for a very limited class of the community, and do it not too well. Patients who cannot afford to pay 30s a week cannot bo admitted. But the oases most in need of assistance come from the poorest classes, living under tho worst conditions. The existence of the St. Helen's Hospitals is mado an argument against the provision of maternity wards at the genoral hospitals. Consequently, the most deserving and urgent cases cannot bo taken, hospital nurses have great difficulty in getting training iv midwifery, and our medical students aro under a similar disability. In a hospital maternity ward the best medical and surgical skill would bo constantly available, whereas in the St. Helen's Hospitals tho medical attendance is apt to bo too intermittent, and if tho Auckland case is any criterion, consultations are not held as freely as they ought to be. Our contention is that if these institutions are continued they should bo placed under local supervision and control, and that, in any case, maternity wards should be provided in connection with the leading hospitals without any unnecessary delay.