MATERNITY WORK IN N.Z.

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25924, 3 October 1949, Page 3

MATERNITY WORK IN N.Z.

“WELL UP TO THE MARK ” DOCTORS’ SURVEY IN AUSTRALIA Gvnaecological and obstetrical work In New Zealand was “well up to the mark" compared with similar work in Australia, said the president of the New Zealand Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society (Dr. L. C. L. Averill) in an interview last evening. Dr. Averill, accompanied by Dr. G. P. S. Fitzgerald (Dunedin), vice-president of the society, recently returned from Australia where they made a survey of and studied developments in gynaecology and obstetrics. “In obstetrical or maternity cases New Zealand women are catered for much better than in Australia.” said Dr. Averill. “In every hospital I visited, even in private hospitals, the maximum time a patient could stay in hospital was eight days. The time is far too short especially for those mothers who have to return home to look after two or three children.*’ New Zealand’s policy had been rather slow in making first-class provisions available in public maternity hospitals, but within the next few years much leeway should be overtaken. he continued. Every encouragement should be given to women, by way of modern facilities, to overcome the' difficulties they had to put up with in producing the next generation, every child of which was of vital importance to the country. Australia had a progressive immigration policy; but Australians felt that the best immigrants were their own people, gained by a higher birth-rate. In Sydney, and Melbourne there were large numbers of medium-sized hospitals run by religious denominations. New Zealand would do well to consider adopting this idea, he said. It woul provide continuity of ownership for private hospitals' and would allow patients to be treated by a doctor of their own choice. In some cases in Melbourne and Sydney these hospitals started in large, private, adapted houses, he added. In all modern hospitals more space was given for the ancillary services of patients. Because of reduced working hours—Australian nurses worked a 40-hour week—greater accommodation was needed. There had been a sudden increase in staff, and consequently the cost of a bed a week had also risen. The Royal Melbourne Hospital was very modern, said Dr. Averill. It had no obstetric beds. The out-patient service was highly organised and all out-patient work was by appointment only. A new layout and ample space enabled the system to be carried out. On the next block there was the Melbourne University where a New Zealander. Professor P. McCallum. V 1 as dean of the faculty of medicine T S. ar J den s of the university locked well indeed and were a mass of colour On inquiring .from the vicechancellor (Sir John Medley) Dr. A\ erill found that the Reserves Department of the Melbourne City Council had taken over the care *of the gardens. Dr. Averill said that the new St. Helens Hospital would be the headquarters for maternity services in Canterbury All types of obstetric w r ork would be undertaken at the hospital.