Welfare of children in hospitals discussed

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33191, 3 April 1973, Page 6

Welfare of children in hospitals discussed

An association for the welfare of children in hospitals—which might be affiliated to Parents’ Centres—will be discussed at the Federation of New Zealand Parents’ Centres conference at Wainuiomata in May.

Young children in hospitals were the subject of a film, “A Two-year-old Goes to HosI pital,” shown at the Christchurch Parents’ Centre II annual meeting recently. Members expressed dismay that the recommendations of ■the 1959 Platt Report on the i welfare of children in hospital were still far from being in Christchurch, : says a supplied report. Only Calvary and St Georges’ hospitals, both private, allowed a mother to be admitted with her child and •live in for the duration of i his stay, said a member in a I report presented to the meetling.

However, it was believed this opportunity would be offered to parents at the Christchurch Public Hospital when the new construction was complete.

Both private hospitals reported they had few inquiries for mothers in live in. Those who did came from country areas.

It was not, they said, the general rule for parents to take advantage of the service. The two main reasons were probably expense and lack of knowledge. Visiting hours at these hospitals were not adhered to strictly. It was hoped that if a child was very upset before visiting time, the parents would be informed and asked to go to the hospital, said the report. If a mother asked, she would be allowed to feed and settle her child to sleep.

In reply to queries, hospital

staffs had said that children generally settled far more quickly and happily if parents visited only during visiting hours than if unlimited visiting was allowed. This was contrary, the centre believed, to documented research findings. Where surgery was necessary, it was not generally accpetable for a parent to ; remain with a child while he ' was prepared, nor to wait by ihim while he recovered from I the anaesthetic. An anxious s parent, it was believed, might relay anxiety and distress to !the child. Parents could remain with children at casualty departments entirely at the doctors’ discretion. If a doctor considered a child would not benefit from their presence, he would request them to leave.

After discussion, led by a

pediatrician, two recommendations were made. The centre was asked to again ask the North Canterbury Hospital Board to "improve conditions for children under five years, and to ensure that their needs were not overlooked in the rebuilding programme.”

It also asked that parents of children on hospital waiting lists be given an opportunity to meet and talk about the effect that hospitalisation and separation could have on babies and young children, and their parents. Parents should also be aware that many minor operations could be delayed until the child had passed the period of greatest risk, when it was under five years of age. Officers elected. — president, Mrs Carol Eggleston; secretary, Mrs Shirley Home; treasurer, Mr Max Home.