Rooming-in dispute

Press, 22 August 1977, Page 7

Rooming-in dispute

New facilities at the Christchurch Hospital allowing mothers to room with hospitalised children have been described as “only a beginning." A Labour candidate for the North Canterbury Hospital Board (Mrs C. Rowlands) says that the provision of six rooms in each ward in the four new hospital wards is inadequate. Children separated ffom parents often either withdrew, or cried incessantly and had to be sedated at night. It should be “almost obligator.' for parents to live in with a young, hospitalised child.’’ she said. Dr L. McH. Berry, medical superintendent-in-chief, said the board believed six rooms in each ward was adequate.

-! “We have nothing to go on, i ; but we think it will be' - plenty,” he said. “It is a total I I of 24 beds for mothers, avail-: - able at their choice.” Mrs Rowlands said the: ; i board had overlooked the I: long-term economy of pro-} ): viding free accommodation! fjand meals for al) parents: II wanting to be with their P sj children in hospital. The board’s institutions j < r committee recommended:; - (earlier this week that mothers 11 -[specifically asked to live-in; [with their children should re-p -iceive free board and meals, |! iibut that mothers choosing tor 1 stay with their children ; ; should pay for meals. I “We are not in the hotel;; I business.” said Dr Berry, “We i •. ;|see nothing wrong with thatji .! charge.” |i

! Mrs Rowlands said that ; women who were hospitalised: (while they were still breast-! (feeding should be allowed; (rooming-in facilities for their! babies, or open visiting day and night. I “Professionals have no idea ( I how traumatic it is for both mother and babv to lie forced ’to wean suddenly. This forced ' separation is unnecessary, [especially when the mother’s [stay in hospital is often very brief,” she said. Dr Berry said that the ad- [ vantages to mother and child j (had to be weighed against; : the risks of exposure to hos- [ pital infection of the baby. I “We prefer to keep babies |at home if it is at all possible,” he said. “Home infections are a lot easier to clear; up than hospital infections.”