PROFESSOR OF CHILD HEALTH ON HOSPITAL VISITS

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30058, 16 February 1963, Page 13

PROFESSOR OF CHILD HEALTH ON HOSPITAL VISITS

VltoMtag in cMkteen's brapetal words sboarid be a&xwed "from nridnifM to ntidmgM,” Ftatanr T. J. Rendle-Short, professor of child health at the University erf Queensland,, Mid in Chriatcbuvcti yesterday. “IdeaHy, the child aboold not go to hoqprte* at ail,” said Professor Rustantwrt. MUCKI pBWCSWKMI€ r for cbttdnn between seven months and five years, ace outpatient departments and day hospstaJe. ‘"The importance of the mother to the cfaHd . during this especially vtrfnerebie period is such that routine operations abould where possible be avoided, and be carried out eariier or inter in the chad’s hfe “M ** boepotal treatment w esMOMu momtr abould be admitted with the chttd. evecMy if the child is below two years and a hatf but even up to five yean. The ideal room size for a children’s word is the two-bed room: one bed each for mother and child. The mother should do everything for the child that is not specifically a medftcel or nursing procedure. “The objection is often

raised that tbe mother is needed at home to look after the father and the other children, but their need is far less than that of the child in hospital. If the mother cannot live-dri for the Child’s full stay, it is greatly beneftetei if she can go for the

first two or three days even, until the cMkd has had a chance to salite down. "Next bate to the admterion of toe nrtbrr to tor parassts* visiting hours to be unrestriced—’midnight to mfdntight,’ as some tsoegtoate put A to. nartscuter, tbe mother should be there to put the cUM to bed, bear hto prayers, and tuck him down." **K the parents live too far ewwy for daily vtoittng. soma other adult known by the child is a second best.” Profeaeor Rendle-Short said. “Where the work to done by voluntary visiting organisations, tbe visitors should be under tbe direction of the occupational therapist, who is the child’s beat Attend—the only one who doesn't have to do unpleasant things to him. “Where tone-period help by outside adutts to not possible. a 'mother substitute’ abould be provided by arranging that the number of staff members decUng with the child should be kept at a minimum, with each nurse given particular responsibility for certain children. For one nurse to do the changings, another the feedings, and another the injections is probably moot economic, but from the point erf view of child care is very bad indeed. “Schooling io very important for odder children in hospital. It gives them an. occupation to help to pass the long hours, and Is helpful in maintaining their academic standard. Children with illnesses which take them into hospital for a few days every two or throe months are especially in need of schooling, because they wull probably have to use their heads rather than their muscles when they grow to adulthood. The rule in many hospitals, that a child is not given lessons unless he is expected to be in for a fortnight or longer, is, to my mind, quite wrong. “A group of children for whom little special provision is made in most hospitals is the adolescents. Those aged 13 to 17 need their own ward, where they will not disturb their elders and where they will not learn a lot of unpleasant things and see a lot of unpleasant sights.”