Midwifery In The North

Northland Age, Volume 27, Issue 23, 26 August 1927, Page 2

Midwifery In The North

Letter From Dr Chesson

Inexperienced And Unregistered"

"An Illegal Act'

The Hospital Board’s Rejoiner

The question of having a registered nurse on the gum fields in the Far North was considered by the Mangonui Hospital Board yesterday from the Department of Health. Dr Chesson writing with respect to the question of Unregis Midw.dery stated that it had been stated that in the Far North confinements were attended by unregistered midwives. He pointed out hat there were regulations for the guidance of the Board and he aske.d that these be taken into consideration. The performance of this work by unexperienced and unregistered women constituted an illegal act. T -i Chairman, Mr T S Houston pc led out that if the Board was ext' cted to turn round and place expectant mothers in the hospital it might mean a very serious thing for the ratepayers, because it was recognised that nine out of tan confinement cases were nonpayers.

Mr L J Matthews: Ten out of eleven Mr Chairman. The Chairman: It will mean a great deal of expense to the ratepayer? gentlemen. Mr Michie: I feel very much the same as you do Mr Chairman. There is a tendency to make matters of nurses very similar to those associated with trade Unionists, and I apt not casting any leflection upon the medical or the medical profession in saying so. It was only natural in cases where nu ses serve their time they are apt to complain of unregistered women performing this duty. It wi s an atrocity to render a woman liable whtn she goes in an i assists at a confinement when th re is no registered nurse in the di: irict.

Mr L A Mclntosh said there were no registered nurses on the gum field and anyone who comes along assists. This practice has bet n carried out for years, and but for the willingness of neighbours to help in cases of confinement it would have been hard to sat what would have happened. Now that the Kaitaia Hospital had been established the difficulties ol the past would be overcome. « Mr Michie : If Dr Chesson is to step in, in this way, and insists upon the Board employing a traned nurse then this should be a charge agMnst fit" State. Mr Coss said Uat he had had to ass i t at certain confinements simply because there was no one to oelp or to do the job. He hac; gone into the matter and there w s no doubt that it was illegal 'o- an i uregisTr’-fd nurse to atl tu in »uch cases. J' wa? d eider) 'oat the Secretary —Tit-.- t.. Dt Chesson informing him that the Board is willing to m lp in every way and pointing ou' t hat there are no inexperi-en.-'-d women on the gum fields; al o that if it is compulsory to einnloy a trained nurse on the gurafleld then the Government Should subsidise this nurse.