Northland Hospitals And Maternity Benefits

Northern Advocate, 2 June 1939, Page 7

Northland Hospitals And Maternity Benefits

Whether or not existing accommodation lor maternity cases in Northland hospitals would be adequate to cope with the increased demands brought about by the maternity benefits scheme was one of the points investigated by officials of the Health Department during a recent tour.

In addition to Dr. C. B. Gilberd, District Medical Officer of Health stationed at Whangarei,- the party included Dr. T. L. Paget, Director of Maternity Welfare and Inspector of Private Hospitals; Miss M. I. Lambic, Director of the Division of Nursing, Wellington; and Miss E. D. Leslie, Nurse Inspector, Whangarei. The tour embarced the district hospital and private hospitals at Whangarei: the Cavell Memorial Hospital, Faparoa; the Northern Wairoa hospital, Te Kopnru and Dargaville private institutions; the Mangonui hospital, Kaitafa; the Whangaroa hospital, Whangaroa; the Bay of Islands hospital, Kawakawa; and the Hokianga hospital, Rawene. Adequate Space Available. It was found, as far as the maternity benefits scheme was concerned, that the Northland hospitals could accommodate all present cases, and executive officers considered that on the indications they could cope with the operation of the scheme. The quality of nursing being performed throughout Northland was thoroughly investigated, and, generally speaking, was regarded as highly satisfactory.

Native Medical Service

Miss Lambic found the district nurses throughout the area kept busily engaged, it being apparent that the Maori people were availing themselves of the opportunity „of calling in aid. In those cases considered necessary, the nurses in turn were calling upon the doctors of the district, with the result that the Maori people were receiving a good medical service. The medical staff of the area was found to be such that no Maori should ever be without proper care and attention.

Much time was spent by the inspecting officers in discussing general problems of administration with hospital officials in the various districts, the tour being essentially of a co-operative nature.