MATERNITY SERVICES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 19 June 1937, Page 2

MATERNITY SERVICES

COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY TO VISIT NELSON NEXT MONTH ITINERARY ANNOUNCED The committee of Enquiry into Maternity Services of New Zealand has been set up by the Minister of Health to investigate the position of the maternity services in New Zealand and to report and make whatever recommendations are considered necessary in regard to the extension of these services.

The committee proposes to visit the Nelson-Marlborough district during the week ending 17th July, and Mr H. Atmore, M.P., has been forwarded details of the committee’s itinerary, showing the times it is proposed to spend at the various towns.

The letter from the secretary to Mr Atmore states: “I am getting in touch with all persons and associations likely to be interested, but if there is any particular person or association whom you desire should interview the comm'ttee, I should be glad to be advised. I would appreciate the courtesy of an early reply, so that sufficient time may be allowed for the inetrview.” THE ITINERARY Arrive in Nelson from Wellington on morning of Tuesday, 13th July. Arrive at Murchison at noon, and return to Nelson later in the day. Wednesday, 14th July: Leave Nelson at 8.30 a.m, for Motueka, remaining there from 9.45 a.m. to 10.45 a.m. before proceeding to Collingwood, arriving there at 12.30 p.m. The committee will leave Collingwood at 2 p.m. for Takaka arriving at 2.30 p.m. (call at Onekaka en route), and will leave for Nelson at 3.30 p.m. Thursday, 15th July: Visit Richmond at 9.30 a.m.; Brightwater, 9.45 a.m. Return to Nelson at 11 a.m. On Friday, 16th July, the committee will leave Nelson at 9 a.m. for Blenheim, stopping at Havelock at 11 a.m. MEMBERS OF COMMITTEE The members of the committee are: Dr D. G. McMillan, M.P. (chairman); Dr T. F. Corkill, president of the Obstetrical Society of New Zealand (Wellington); Dr Sylvia Chapman, medical superintendent of St. Helens Hospital (Wellington); Mrs P. Fraser (Wellington); Dr T. L. Page, Inspector of Private Hospitals, Health Department (Wellington); Mrs A. M. Hutchison, branch secretary, New Zealand Society for Health of Women and Children (Auckland), and Mrs N. G. Kent-John-ston, secretary of the Friends of St. Helens’ Society (Christchurch). ORDER OF REFERENCE The order of reference of the committee is as follows: (1) To inquire generally into and report upon matter affecting the maternity services of the Dominion and to put forward any relevant recommendations.

(2) In particular to inquire into and report:—

(a) Whether the maternity hospital services of the Dominion are adequate and efficient in respect of:— (1) Maternity hospitals and maternity wards established by hospital boards. (2) Maternity hospitals maintained by the Government.

(3) Private maternity hospitals.

(b) Whether the ante-natal and post-natal services of the Dominion are adequate and, if not, in what respects they should be extended.

(c) Whether the organised district nursing services which afford a maternity service are adequate and satisfactory. (d) The extent to which anaesthetics are administered to women in childbirth in public maternity hospitals and whether this procedure should be extended. (e) .Whether there should be a resident nodical officer attached to the staff of the larger public maternity hospitals.

(f) Whether the maternity services provided for the Maori race are adequate, and if not, how they should be extended.

(g) Whether the training uC midwives and maternity nurses is satisfactoy and adequate, and whether the number of persons who are being trained is sufficient for the needs of the Dominion..