Page 8 Advertisements Column 5

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 14191, 28 April 1919, Page 8

GEIiEEAX. NOTICES. TO THE ELECTORS OF PALMERSTON N. JJAVING again consented to nomlnanation as a Member of the Hospital Board, I wish, in asking for the support of the Public, to place before them my views on various questions of interest to those who use and support the Palmerston North Hospital MATERNITY HOME SITE I have opposed the erection of a Maternity Home on the Hospital Grounds because of the increased danger of infection in being so close to a hospital where medical, surgical and infectious cases are treated; also because maternity patients should have the most private and cheerful surroundings obtainable. Xor do I agree with the argument that a Maternity Homo cannot be run successfully unless under the immediate supervision of the Hospital authorities. There is no reason why it cannot be supervised by competent medical men and trained nurses outside of the Hospital Grounds. This view of the question lias been repeatedly endorsed by the Minister for Health, who has repeatedly refused his sanction to it being placed on the Hospital Grounds, and has promised a subsidy of £SOOO if a stable site or building is chosen in some other position. The wishes of the public have been emphatically expressed by a largely-signed petition of men and women, also by deputations representing the whole of the Friendly Societies and Labour Unions of the District. The heavy cost for the treatment of maternity cases in private hospitals, usually amounting from £ls upwards, is a tax purse of the wageearner, to follow advice of the Minister for Health a Public Maternity Horae could be established with very little delay. DENTAL CLINIC. I have supported the establishment of a Dental Clinic in the centre of the town for the use of the School Children where they could have their teeth attended to at a very much reduced cost. I opposed the setting up of one at the Hospital, as it could only be of benefit to one school, while a. central Clinic could bo used by all of the town schools and many of the surrounding country ones. The medical examination of the School Children’s teeth is of little benefit until some such scheme is carried out. A broader scheme to embrace the whole of the Dominion was unanimously agreed to, and has been brought before the Hospital Boards of the Dominion, who have also agreed to it; but in the meantime a clinic could be established in most of Ihc centres, and would prove of groat benefit to the rising generation. Again, the contention that a Dental chair could be better run at the Hospital than under competent Dentists and Nurses is over emphasised. VISITING COMMITTEE. Unlike most hospitals, the Palmerston North Board has refused its consent to the setting up of a visiting committee. When the present extension scheme has been carried out, and the whole of the enlarged hospital is iu working order, this matter will again be pressed on the attention of the board. The visiting committee to the Old People’s Home has so far done its useful and necessary work without causing any friction, and I fail to see why official visitors to the main hospital should be less successful. THE ADMITTANCE OF ALL MEDICAL MEN TO THE HOSPITAL. This much-discussed question will come up for settlement in the near future. I feel I should like to have more knowledge before making a pronouncement on this matter, but I would most decidedly object to any scheme which would give a life privilege to any medical man or group of medical men (that is, of entry for practice in the hospital). The right of every doctor to follow his patient into the hospital, or the annual voting of a certain number of surgeons and medical men with the right of every doctor rvitlx the necessary qualifications to nomination, will probably be very fully discussed. I would like to see every doctor with the right of entry, if it is a workable scheme, and would support it. During my two years as a member of the Hospital Board I have done what I could to further the interests of the people who placed me in that position. I hope to see the completion of the enlargement scheme now being carried out, and if sent back by the votes of the people will do my best to further any plans in the interests of the health of the community. P, CRABB. JJOSI’ITAI. gOAED JjJLEOTION. T HAVE the honour to again solicit election to the Palmerston North Hospital Board. Two years ago I stood and won upon reform of the Board’s working and reorganisation of the public hospital, stating that “I believed the Hospital Board wisely and widely conceived can have a determining influence upon the future of our people and of this district.” The epidemic of influenza, proved that. Members representing each Borough wore immediately given absolute power to deal with it. They did so, with such general and ungrudging support by tHo public that no man or woman stood to criticise at the end of it. That influence is gradually extending itsfclf by reasoned and progressive'steps. The health of Palmerston North is intimately connected with the health of the Hospital District. Your sanitary representative ought to have a seat on that Board for that reason. The public, which pays, lias followed the monetary pitfalls into which it may be led over national projects. such as maternity, dental and venereal disease treatment, these matters cannot be dealt with by representatives chained to a megaphone, the month of which is in other people s possession, but they can bo brought into being gradually by a man understanding the business. 3. want a seat on the Board to help through what has been begun and I. shall bo very grateful to ail those electors who will give mo the opportunity. (Dr) TgDGAR