GRAVE CONCERN

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 85, 8 October 1945, Page 7

GRAVE CONCERN

MIDWIVES LACKING

INADEQUATE TRAILING FACILITIES

"The present .shortage of maternity hospital accommodation in almost all parts of the Dominion is the subject of general uneasiness and wide comment. What is perhaps not realised by the public as a whole is that if the necessary buildings were made available immediately it is highly improbable that sufficient midwives could be found for adequate staffing/ states tlie "New Zealand Nursing Journal" in an editorial. "For some time past there has been a serious shortage of midwives in New Zealand, and there are approximately 500 positions in which midwifery qualifications are necessary, e.g., private and public maternity hospitals, public health nursing, country district nursing, and the tropical nursing service. The present training facilities permit 64 midwives to qualify annually, and it is estimated that in order to meet the requirements properly, and allow for the loss through marriage, change of occupation, etc., the number should not be less than 100. During reGent years many small maternity hospitals in different parts have closed down through lack of staff or because there was not a qualified person available to take over from a retiring licensee. "The intention of the Government to close the Auckland St. Helens Hospital on-the opening of the obstetric and gynaecological hospital in Auckland for the post-graduate training of doctors, is causing grave concern in nursing circles, as the training of midwives in Auckland will then cease. The Minister stated also to the same deputation that it is proposed to close Invercargill St. Helens. These two hospitals have together trained 30 midwives and 18 maternity nurses annually. HOSPITAL REBUILDING. "It is understood that the Government plans to rebuild St. Helens hospitals at Wellington and Christchurch, the former to 100 beds and the latter to 50 beds. Even then the training facilities will be barely enough, and though the present situation is extremely acute, the proposed rebuilding has not proceeded beyond the laying of the foundation-stone at Christchurch. It is not known if any progress has been made in respect of Wellington. "Whilst realising the need for postgraduate training facilities for doctors in obstetrics, such as the new hospital will provide, the Registered Nurses' Association takes a grave view of the possible curtailment of midwifery training. "Indeed, unless there is an increase in the number of practising midwives the high standard of obstetric nursing service in New Zealand is threatened. Much of the credit for the present standard and the good maternal and infant welfare statistics goes to the system of training and supervision of midwives'. , _. , "Some members of the medical profession are inclined to the view that midwifery training for nurses is not essential, that maternity training is enough,' and the case material now used for the training of midwives would be better used in the training of doctors. Other doctors, however, realise that this additional qualification is necessary for those nurses who are to be in charge of obstetric work if the mothers and' infants are to receive the best -possible care."