A New Hospital Needed

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22309, 25 January 1938, Page 8

A New Hospital Needed

In Dunedin on Saturday the Minister for Health, the Hon. P. Fraser, officially closed the St Helens Maternity Hospital, established 33 years ago, and opened the larger and more modern institution which is to take its place. The incident is a reminder that the agitation fnr the replacement of the St. Helens Maternity Hospital in Christchurch, which is nearly as old as that in Dunedin and is quite inadequate to the needs of the community, has apparently produced no results. More than a year ago the need for a new maternity hospital in Christchurch was emphasised by the National Council of Women, the Christchurch Obstetrical Society, the Rotary Club, and several • representatives of the medical profession. Since that time many far less important building projects, including the construction of a new railway station, a new post office, and a new courthouse, have been approved by the Government. Of the new maternity hospital, which was badly needed 20 years ago, nothing has been heard. On the face of it, this is a little surprising. New Zealand is known throughout the world for the attention paid to the welfare of women and children; and in the last few months the importance of this subject has been emphasised by the report of the Abortion Committee and by the increasing prebccupation of all thinking persons' with the social implications of the falling birtn-rate. The present St. Helens Maternity Hospital is, and has been for many years, a reproach to Christchurch. In

the circumstances, it is not unreasonable to ask the Minister for Health whether his department is satisfied with the provision for maternity cases in Christchurch and, if not, what progress has been made with the scheme for replacing St. Helens.