ST. HELENS HOSPITALS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20595, 20 June 1930, Page 14

ST. HELENS HOSPITALS.

Sir, —In a letter written by Dr. Jellett, consultant obstetrician of the Health Department, and published in tho Herald of May 24, there is a quotation from a letter written in Auckland, signed "F.K.C.S." Dr. Jellett supports the suggestion of "F.R.0.5." that a wise use of surplus obstetric funds would be the payment of obstetrical tutors in the larger St. Helens hospitals. Dr. Jellett goes on to say: "These hospitals are now, and will bo in future, wanted in order to add to the clinical opportunities which must always be insufficient in Duncdin. It is impossible to expect medical officers, whose philanthropy is already overtaxed, to provide without remuneration tho necessary teaching to enable students to benefit 1»y theso opportunities. I submit that no more useful method of using the surplus fund could ho found than that suggested by T.R.C.S.' " I)o the people of New Zealand "realise that this shocking suggestion cuts tho* ground from right under the foundation principle of St. Helens hospitals? St. Helens hospitals were not founded for the benefit of students, nor is there any necessity for philanthropic medical officers to attend there without remuneration. Tho women who go to St. Helens pay their way, and should not be expected to bo used for demonstration purposes any more than mothers in private nursing homes. Would "F.R.C.S." take a student to his private patients, who are fortunate enough to bo ahlo to pay medical fees and high rates in a more luxurious homo? St. Helens hospitals were founded "solely for tho benefit of wives of mon of moderate means and are 111 no way associated with charity. Women who go to St. Helens and pay their fees havo just as great delicacy of feeling, and as keen susceptibility as women in private maternity homos. And fees of doc-" tors and midwives mako St. Helens as necessary to-day as thoy were at their foundation. Tho conditions aimed at by the founder of St. Helens (Richard John Scddon) were to give the women of New Zealand unable to pay theso fees tho rest, quiet, peace, privacy and contentment, with skilled attention so necessary at their time of motherhood. In fact, converting St. Helens to tho use primarily for students is striking a blow at the very dignity of motherhood. All honour to tho successful appeal for obstetric advancement in Now Zealand, but the last tiling that subscribers to that fund would wish would bo a nail in tho coffin of St. Helens hospitals. Let tho management of St. Helens remain as it was instituted under tho Health Department, and directly responsible to Parliament, The best asset this young country has is its children and tho wonderful improvement in maternal and infantile mortality during tho last 20 years is directly attributable to the educative advantages derived from the system of St Helens and the influence exerted by tho splendidly-trained band of St. Helens nurses The danger of under mining the scope and use of St. Helens in Now Zealand is so great that 1 hope the citizens of our fair country will wake up to the present risk as manifested in tho letter from Dr. Jellett. Wellington. Mary Stout Hay.