ST. HELEN’S HOSPITALS

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 July 1930, Page 10

ST. HELEN’S HOSPITALS

PROTEST AGAINST STUDENTS.

[I’EIi PKESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON, July 2-1

A deputation of women from women’s organisations waited on Cabinet Ministers to-day, opposing tite use of St. Helen's Hospitals for the training of students.

Replying, the Prime Minister, Mr. Forbes, said the point raised by the deputation had come under his notice for the first time. He had not been aware, until just, recently, that an alteration in policy had taken place, and had not had an opportunity of discussing the matter with his colleagues. “I do not know,'’ said Mr Forbes, “whether any necessity exists for medical students going into these "homes for training purposes.” Loud voices;—“No! No! It does not exist!”

“Of course I would like to hear the other, side of the argument as well,” said Mr Forbes. “However, the feelings of those who have to go into these homes must receive the very serious consideration of the Government, and I can assure you they will.” (Loud applause). The Minister of Health (Mr A. J. Stallworthy) observed that there appeared to be a great deal of misapprehension on many phases of the subject. The alteration in policy had not been of recent growth, as it dated back to 1918. That aspect of the Department's activities was administered by technical medical officers, whose policy was to make such arrangements with the medical faculty at Dunedin, as would provide very necessary facilities for the training of medical students in midwifery in New Zealand. Mr Semple, M.P.: At the expense of the working mother. The Minister; No.

Mrs Hay: Are your officers able to bind down the Government? The Minister said that he was not suggesting that for a moment. He had not heard previously of any suggestion that the law was being violated or not properly administered. The policy had been pursued because, on facts presented to him, it seemed to be the thing to do. However, he would submit a reply to Mrs Hay in writing. It was extravagant to declare that ah invasion was being made of the St. Helen’s Hospitals. Statistics revealed that only 16 per cent, of the confinements in these institutions had been attended under the supervision of the Matron, by finalyear medical students, who were almost qualified doctors. Voices: No! No!

The Minister: They are six-year students, and are almost qualified doctors.

The six year, the Minister added, was imposed really to meet largely the requirements of the British Medical Council, and the best part of the sixth year was devoted to maternity cases. His main concern was to see that medical students obtained essential training in midwifery in New Zealand. It was a professional medical man who was attending to the majority of maternity cases, and that fact had to be taken into consideration. While in the past midwives were being trained for that work, hundreds of them were not in practice and did not intend to practise.