UNREGISTERED NURSES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18547, 3 November 1923, Page 12

UNREGISTERED NURSES.

_». TOO MANY PATIENTS TAKEN. [BY TKLEOEAPH.—OWM CO»M»PONM!KT.I •'' ~■; i \ f ' m HAMILTON. ■ i, * id -* / : '■ Two cases of a rather unusual nature came before Mr. H. A. Young,. S.M., at the Magistrate's Court/ to-day. . - One woman residing.at Te Kuiti and another living .at \ Hamilton were charged with keeping unregistered nursing homes. The Crown Solicitor, Mr; H. T. Gillies, prosecuted. "■''/; ■ ',-'■■ ■:"■■•:.:*•; :-'i,:.. .';.: ,: -- ■ It transpired that as long as each defendant had not more than one patient . at her home at the same time the law was not infringed, but immediately another maternity case was admitted an offence was committed. v If, however, " a license- had- been pbtained, more than one case could be taken. . Neither defendant had obtained a.license. '■' ' The defendant from Te Kuiti, Agnes Lugeon, was stated : ; by Mr.' • Gillies to have had three cases atono time at her house, although previously warned 'that she was breaking the law. Counsel for. the defendant said ''that his client had been ! practising midwifery at Te Kuiti for the last eight years, and it' was only at the request of people, who could not be attended to in their own homes, that t she had opened up the house for receiving patients. Defendant was fined £10, Court coats 7s, and Crown Solicitor's fee of £3 35. ■.',.' •■•■■•:': : 'f" ;' ' ' The second case; against Mrs. Ansttss, was - stated by her solicitor (Mr. Wilson) to • present; even more extenuating circumstances than ; the previous 'one. His / client , had always. observed the laW except on ; this occasion, when .'the circumstances were certainly not of her seeking. An extra patient arrived at a late : hour , and needed urgent attention. Under these ; conditions it. would have been dangerous to turn her away. Defendant : was ; fined £6, costs 78, and the Crown• Solicitor's, fee.of £3 35.,