NEW ST. HELENS HOSPITAL

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26122, 26 May 1950, Page 2

NEW ST. HELENS HOSPITAL

OPENING THIS YEAR “The lifting of the date for the opening of the new St. Helens Hospital is not in my hands; it is the concern of the Works Department and the contractor,” said Mr J. T. Watts, M P (Minister of Health), when he paid a short visit to the annual meeting of the Friends of St. Helens, held at St Helens Hospital yesterday. “But I find that they hope that the hospital will be opened by November this year.” Mr Watts added .that it would fill a long-felt want and besides being of great benefit to mothers it would be a training school for midwives and maternity nurses. With the introduction of social security medical benefits, it had become necessary to consider the future policy of St. Helens hospitals, the Minister said. At present consideration was being given to the policy of expansion of St. Helens hospitals. He felt that one type of work carried out at these maternity hospitals was not fully appreciated by the public. This .was the infant welfare and maternal welfare work done at the ante-natal clinic at St. Helens .under the Health Department. At the Christchurch St. Helens alone about 3200 visits a year were paid to the clinic where expectant mothers were taught how to care for themselves and their babies. Mr Watts praised the work done by the matron and staff, under difficulties, at St. Helens Hospital. Christchurch, and thanked the Friends of St. Helens for their valuable and imnortant work which, he hoped, would be continued by them when the new St. Helens was ready for occupation. *