NURSING HOMES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 14222, 19 November 1906, Page 6

NURSING HOMES.

Thk statement which wo publish this ' morning on tho subject of nursing homes will giro tho public plenty of food tor very serious- consideration. When an occasional tragedy reveals some weakness or shortcoming In the arrangements of these homes tho incident is commonly represented to he a mere accident; but in face of this statement there- ia no longer any excuse for public indifference. Maternity cases admittedly require special care, and tho nurses are charged with a double responsibility. The Midwives Act of 11X31 was intended by Mr Seddon to put an end to tho practising of untrained nurses and to the sacrifice of lives through ignorant and unskilful treatment. But the passage of tho Act lias net brought, complete reform. Registration could not be refused to women who had been practising as midwifes in the past, and even in regard to future

registrations altogether too wide a discretion is left to the registrar. He may if he chooses, accept a certificate given, carelessly to . an incompetent nureo by some interested: doctor. On the other hand the law, carefully administered, could be and should he need to prevent the registration of any but capable and experienced nurses. There seems to bo no limit to the number of cases a midwife may receive into her nursing home, where the nursing is probably done by girls and probationers, and the necessity for some regulation in this direction is quits obvious. The inspection of these institutions, we gather, is entirely neglected. The duty of inspection falls upon the Health Officer, who is fully occupied with other work, and private enterprise in the matter of nursing really enjoys a remarkable freedom from' State interference. Very disquieting accounts are given of the conditions obtaining in seme of the homes j and it seems to us that a grave responsibility rests on medical men. who- recommend their patients to commit themselves to the car© of ill-equipped and understaffed institutions. The statement we publish was made deliberately by a well-known and experienced doctor, and the criticism should receive the very earnest consideration of the authorities. The State is moving slowly in the direction of providing maternity hospitals for the cities, and in a few yearn, no doubt, modern and commodious hospitals will be available. But the Sydenham purchase, whether- it deserves the criticism that has been passed upon it or not, will never- satisfy all the requirements of Christchurch, and the Government will have to provide similar institutions in other parts of the city. In the meantime the thorough inspection of all nursing homes and private hospitals seems to bo preesingly neceesary.