MATERNITY HOMES.
• I ■ EXTENSION OF ACTIVITIES. j The Hon. C. W. Russell, Minister of Health, informed a representative of "The Press" yesterday that an ' important extension of the activities of the St. Helen's Maternity Hospitals of the Dominion has been decided upon. i The Minister said that there has! been established at these institutions a service to provide advice to expectant : mothers. The medical officers attached to each St. Helen's Hospital "have been instructed to attend at the institutions on two afternoons each week for the purpose of giving free advice to expectant mothers. It is not intended that this service should in any < way interfere with the excellent work ' being done by the Plunket Society. "It must be evident," added the Minister "that a medical practitioner is in a position to give information which cannot he provided in the ordinary course by trained nurses. It is hoped by providing this advice by medical practitioners that the dangers inseparable from motherhood r may be avoided to the advantage of both the mother and the future child. The advice will be free ito all who come, and is not restricted to those only who intend entering tho hospital." | Referring to the maternity homes already established, the Minister said that recently, at the St. Helen's Maternity Hospital, Wellington, there was, born the 2000 th baby born in these institutions. which were originally established by Mr Seddon with the View of reducing the cost of confinements and also for the purpose of utilising the institutions for the training of midwives. Four were established, and during last the Public Health Department took "over a private institution that had been established at Gisborne, so that now the total number under the Department's control is five. During the Minister's recent visit to the cast coast of the North Island it was arranged with the Napier Hospital Board that a maternity ward should be established in connexion with the hospital in that town. At Hastings, where there is no baby hos- j pital, the Minister was waited upon by a commitee of ladies who expressed their willingness to raise a sum if at least £4000"for the establishment of a maternity hospital if the Government was prepared to. maintain and conduct the institution. "Needless almost to say," remarked the Minister, "I have accepted the offer with great thankfulness." "The heavy increase in the cost of living." Mr Russell remarked, "renders it absolutely necessary that the Government should take some active part in maternity matters. Originally no mother was allowed to enter the St. Helen's Hospitals if her husband is in receipt of more than £3 a week, but I have altered this limit to £4. In cases, howe er, where on account ot the number in the family, it is desirable that a mother whoso husband earns more than £4, should go to the : institution, the rule is relaxed by the I Department." I :
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Press, Volume LII, Issue 15751, 18 November 1916, Page 2
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486MATERNITY HOMES. Press, Volume LII, Issue 15751, 18 November 1916, Page 2
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